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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match suggests the need for cool minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C