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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-member squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener indicates the need for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side till C