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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the need for composed temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more selected as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old 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 versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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