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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member squad to confront England in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the need for calm minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and can seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C