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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a reserve following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key attackers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering 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 Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batsman if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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