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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for cool heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining main attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batter if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team until C