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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly done after Australia announced a 15-man squad to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game indicates the need for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again selected as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C