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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more selected as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at international cricket and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better 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 the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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