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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost finished following Australia announced a 15-player squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the necessity for calm temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again selected as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at international cricket and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter if required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side until C