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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly over following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game indicates the requirement for calm heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again selected as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at the top level and ought to seize the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C