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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost over following the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game points to the requirement for composed minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at the top level and should seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and tendency to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter 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 play in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side till C