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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The larger group for the series opener points to the need for composed temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more trusted as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batter whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak 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 line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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