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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match indicates the need for composed heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a reserve following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main attackers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor off the field. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and should seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best 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 assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to score massive runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side until C