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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically over following Australia unveiled a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again trusted as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other key attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality away from the field. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at this level and ought to embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side until C