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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and should embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batter if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C