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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match points to the requirement for composed temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and can embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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