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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other new players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and should seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical 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 till C