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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically over following the Australian team announced a 15-player team to take on England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the necessity for calm heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor away from the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at this level and ought to seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding 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 deliver a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling 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 captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team till C