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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the need for calm heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and should seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman 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 last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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