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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a threat at the top level and ought to seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and tendency to score big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited England 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 vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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