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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost over following the Australian team announced a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game points to the necessity for composed minds during the fiery battle, with the newcomer included for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a target for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature off the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at the top level and can seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role 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 batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains 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. But following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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