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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other key attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking intent and habit to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form 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. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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