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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match points to the necessity for calm heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and should welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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