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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game indicates the necessity for calm minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and ought to seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more assured batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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