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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost over after Australia announced a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener indicates the need for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a reserve after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and can seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and habit to clobber big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must 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 at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C