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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost done after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at this level and can seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well 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 much more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to hit huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India 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 finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team until C