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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to take on England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the need for cool heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and should seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team until C