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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost over after the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the necessity for calm heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to clobber massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C