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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their possible effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at the top level and should welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning 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 Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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