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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly over after Australia revealed a 15-player team to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other key attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side until C