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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost over following Australia unveiled a 15-member team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match suggests the need for composed minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at the top level and ought to welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side till C