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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost done after Australia unveiled a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the requirement for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve after being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a object for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at this level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive 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 hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the team till C