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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm heads during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and can seize the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter if needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to score big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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