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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically finished after Australia unveiled a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to remain 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 moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to seize the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batter whether needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran 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 series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team till C