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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game points to the need for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more selected as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and should seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C