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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and can embrace the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies 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 may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to score huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C