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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game indicates the requirement for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to 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 India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C