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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-man team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and should seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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