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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a reserve after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other key bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side till C