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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly over after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the need for composed heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a far more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor 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 Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side till C