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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost done after Australia revealed a 15-member lineup to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the need for composed temperaments during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and can seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team until C