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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is almost finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match suggests the necessity for cool temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more selected as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other key bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a object for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at the top level and can welcome the unique chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batter whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and tendency to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side till C