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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for calm minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and should embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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