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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match indicates the need for cool temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking approach and tendency to score massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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