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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost done after the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the series opener suggests the need for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at the top level and can welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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