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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly over after Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game indicates the necessity for cool temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C