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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game indicates the need for composed minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more trusted as a back-up following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a target for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team until C