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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the necessity for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side until C