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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically done after Australia revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the necessity for composed heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more trusted as a substitute following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other key attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have 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 clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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