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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost done following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, 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 currently a much more confident batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C