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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly finished following the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to take on England in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the requirement for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and habit to score massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C