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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face England in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game indicates the need for composed minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and ought to welcome the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking 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 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batsman if required to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C