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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically over after Australia announced a 15-man squad to take on England in the first Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the requirement for calm minds during the fiery contest, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a far more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and habit to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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