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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly done after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to face the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the initial game suggests the requirement for composed heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and should embrace the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team till C