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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost over following the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener points to the necessity for composed heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a object for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and should embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility 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 transition at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C