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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically over following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match indicates the requirement for calm heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and should welcome the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands 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 the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C