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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game suggests the necessity for composed temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and can embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C