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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the requirement for composed minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again trusted as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and can welcome the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark 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 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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