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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost over after Australia announced a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for composed heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other new players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team until C