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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably 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 wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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