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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly over following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to take on England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the need for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again selected as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and tendency to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side till C