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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the need for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking approach and habit to hit big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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