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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a substitute after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and can welcome the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter if required to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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