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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically over following Australia revealed a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a target for England for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question whether he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and tendency to score big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C