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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the requirement for composed temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and can welcome the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batter whether needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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