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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically over following Australia revealed a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener indicates the need for composed temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a substitute following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more confident batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and habit to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C