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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-man team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener indicates the requirement for calm heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key attackers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a far more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his favored 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 Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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