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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match suggests the necessity for composed temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and should welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally 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 campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form 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. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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