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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the need for calm heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again trusted as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a object for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. However 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 – without being a force at the top level and ought to embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C