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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically over after Australia revealed a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game indicates the need for composed heads during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and should embrace the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and tendency to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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