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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost done after Australia unveiled a 15-player team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match indicates the need for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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