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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is practically finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new members being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to score big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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