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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost done following Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the need for cool minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at this level and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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