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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly finished after Australia announced a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match suggests the requirement for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark 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 the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C