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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other main attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and can welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more assured batsman if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling 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 journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side till C