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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the need for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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