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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically over after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game indicates the requirement for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their possible effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other key attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and propensity to score massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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