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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically over following Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the necessity for cool minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and can seize the unique chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies 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 may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and propensity to score big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C