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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game suggests the necessity for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again selected as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and ought to seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side till C