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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener suggests the need for calm minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and should seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and habit to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side till C