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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to face the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more trusted as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at this level and can seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and tendency to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better 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 although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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