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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost over following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the need for composed minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and can seize the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to score huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C