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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the need for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at this level and ought to embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking approach and habit to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C