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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over following Australia unveiled a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match indicates the need for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at international cricket and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare 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 despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and tendency to clobber big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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