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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly finished following Australia unveiled a 15-player team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the need for calm temperaments during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a substitute after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old 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 proving to be a threat at this level and can embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C