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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the first match suggests the necessity for calm minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at the top level and can welcome the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batsman if needed 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 fringes of the national team across recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to score big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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