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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost finished after Australia unveiled a 15-member squad to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for calm temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at international cricket and can seize the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling 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 although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run 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 the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side until C