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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly finished following Australia unveiled a 15-member squad to face the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at the top level and ought to seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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