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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is almost over after Australia announced a 15-player lineup to take on England in the first Test. The larger group for the series opener suggests the necessity for composed heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and should seize the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more confident batter if required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and tendency to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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