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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically done after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to take on England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the initial game indicates the need for calm heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more selected as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor off the field. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and can embrace the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter if needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to score big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better 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 shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team till C