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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining main attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and should seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side until C