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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is almost done following the Australian team announced a 15-man team to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the need for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again trusted as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and can welcome the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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