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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to confront England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again trusted as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and tendency to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C