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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for composed temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more trusted as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and can embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to score massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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