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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to confront England in the first Test. The larger squad for the initial game points to the need for cool temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again trusted as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at the top level and should embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side till C