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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match indicates the necessity for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at international cricket and should seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C