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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to take on England in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and can embrace the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and tendency to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side until C