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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost over following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the need for cool minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and should embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman 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 shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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