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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the requirement for calm minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key attackers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at the top level and should embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side until C