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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically finished after Australia announced a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match suggests the need for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to hit massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong 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 retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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