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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more composed batter if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side until C