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The period for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly done following Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and can embrace the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited England 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 vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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