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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the necessity for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more selected as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and should seize the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey 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 batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran 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 Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C