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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match indicates the need for composed minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a back-up following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team until C