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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener suggests the need for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more trusted as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering 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 Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series 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 time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side till C