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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished following Australia announced a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the need for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and should embrace the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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