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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to take on England in the first Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the necessity for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again trusted as a substitute after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and should seize the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter if needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to score big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-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 the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side till C