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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game points to the necessity for calm temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other main bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and can welcome the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain 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 national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to score big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team until C