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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost done following the Australian team announced a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again relied upon as a substitute following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other key attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a threat at this level and can seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible as the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and habit to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team until C