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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the necessity for cool minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main attackers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and can seize the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more confident batsman if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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