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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded group for the first match indicates the need for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C