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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-player team to face the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener suggests the need for composed heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again trusted as a reserve following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and can welcome the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman whether required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready 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 early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C