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The period for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and ought to seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a much more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and propensity to score massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former 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 surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C