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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost over following Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at the top level and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should 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 demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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