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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly done following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the necessity for composed minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and should seize the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter if needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side till C