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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost finished after Australia revealed a 15-man team to face the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match suggests the need for cool minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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