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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly done after Australia unveiled a 15-man team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team until C