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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly over following the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the necessity for calm temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to score big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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