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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the requirement for calm minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again trusted as a substitute after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern if he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive approach and habit to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team until C