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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically over after the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a substitute following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green 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, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and habit to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C