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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the need for calm minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more assured batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and habit to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace 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 ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited 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 last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the team till C