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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically over after the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and can seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batter if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer 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 take over to lead the team until C