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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the necessity for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again trusted as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a danger at international cricket and ought to welcome the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old 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 versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking 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 domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C