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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly over following Australia announced a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the necessity for cool minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a reserve after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and can seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, 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 consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and tendency to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must 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 comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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