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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for composed temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers 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 an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia 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 recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C