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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and ought to welcome the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C