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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the necessity for calm heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C