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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished following Australia announced a 15-player team to face England in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener suggests the need for calm temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and can seize the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batsman if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team until C