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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly done after Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to take on England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener indicates the need for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the field. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and can seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready 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 method to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands 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. However after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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