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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly done after the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the requirement for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and can embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring 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 of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia 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 last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team until C