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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly over after Australia unveiled a 15-man squad to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the necessity for cool heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more trusted as a back-up following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and ought to welcome the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batter whether needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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