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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the need for composed heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side until C