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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly over following the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to take on England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the need for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side till C