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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly done following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the need for calm minds during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a object for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and can seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batter if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest 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 a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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