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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly over after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match indicates the necessity for cool temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining main attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and should embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side till C