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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically over following the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at the top level and can embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side till C