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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side until C