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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically done following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the need for composed heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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