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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-man squad to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at international cricket and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter if required to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he 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 determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side till C