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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the requirement for calm minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should embrace the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side until C