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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is practically done after Australia announced a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the need for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to score massive runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better 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 Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C