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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach as the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. 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 during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could 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 top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital 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 side till C