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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly finished following the Australian team announced a 15-man team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the need for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more selected as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at international cricket and can seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense 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 journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and tendency to score huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C