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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to take on England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener indicates the requirement for calm heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again selected as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering 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 the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. 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 could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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