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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost finished following the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener suggests the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and can embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side till C