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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has turned into a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor off the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a threat at this level and should welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring 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-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team till C