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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly finished following Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game indicates the need for cool temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other key attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at this level and can embrace the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking intent and propensity to score massive runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old 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 lead the team until C