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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-player lineup to face England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the initial game indicates the need for calm temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and ought to seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman whether needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C