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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the series opener suggests the necessity for cool minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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