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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the need for calm temperaments during the fiery battle, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key attackers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and can embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C