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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match indicates the necessity for calm minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and habit to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C