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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly over following Australia announced a 15-member team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the necessity for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining main attackers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C