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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for calm minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and should embrace the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batter whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to score huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side till C