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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly over after Australia unveiled a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the need for cool minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and ought to embrace the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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