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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically done after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener points to the need for composed minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter whether required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and tendency to score big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side till C