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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to face England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for cool minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side till C