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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a threat at the top level and should embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batter whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to score big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side until C