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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-player team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more selected as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and tendency to score big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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