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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly done after Australia announced a 15-man team to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the need for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and habit to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team until C