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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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