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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly over following the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for calm minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining new players being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining key attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and can seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more composed batter whether required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling 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 although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side until C