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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is practically finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the necessity for calm heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has emerged as a object for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial 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 could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. 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 contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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