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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically over following Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game indicates the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his positive approach and habit to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C