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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically over following Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match indicates the need for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality away from the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and should seize the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle looking to stand out 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 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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