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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost over following Australia unveiled a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the necessity for composed minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and habit to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team till C