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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the necessity for calm heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other key bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at international cricket and should welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and propensity to score big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team till C