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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically over after the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to take on England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the requirement for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at this level and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team until C