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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to face the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a reserve following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more assured batsman whether needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after 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 hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C