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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again trusted as a back-up following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the field. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter whether required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team till C