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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the necessity for composed heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining main attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team until C