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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically done following the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to take on England in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener indicates the need for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a object for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and can embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batsman whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to score massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C