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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost over after Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the necessity for cool heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and ought to embrace the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C