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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to face the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment 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 lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to score massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C