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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game points to the requirement for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can embrace the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team till C