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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost over after Australia announced a 15-member team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game indicates the necessity for composed heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter if required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side until C