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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-member lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game suggests the need for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again trusted as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated 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 player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C