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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically over after Australia revealed a 15-man squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for composed minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more selected as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at this level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter whether required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player 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 significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to score huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor 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. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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