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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the need for calm minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a object for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality off the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team till C