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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the initial game points to the need for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and ought to welcome the unique chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman whether needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited the UK 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 bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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