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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to face England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a substitute following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and should embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman if required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and propensity to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team till C