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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost over after Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match indicates the necessity for calm heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other front-line attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team till C