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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to take on England in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener suggests the need for cool minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and can embrace the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the team till C