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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-member squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener suggests the necessity for calm minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter if needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C