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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically done after Australia revealed a 15-player team to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the first match suggests the need for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and should embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C