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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the need for cool temperaments during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining key attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches 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 first appearance is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side until C