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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to take on England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for composed heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and should seize the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England 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 muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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