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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost done after Australia announced a 15-man team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the necessity for composed minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a danger at international cricket and can seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side until C