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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-member squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for calm heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and can seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter if required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side until C