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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost done after Australia announced a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a target for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and tendency to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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