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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically done after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match indicates the necessity for calm heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question if he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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