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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically over following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to face England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for cool heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might 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 former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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