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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again trusted as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and can seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a far more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to score huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side until C