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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished following Australia announced a 15-man team to face England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for composed minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate 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 leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team until C