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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly done after Australia revealed a 15-member team to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match suggests the necessity for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again trusted as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and can welcome the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. 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 clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side till C