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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the necessity for cool heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has become a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and can embrace the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite 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 after being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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