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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to take on England in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener suggests the need for composed heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and should seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and habit to hit huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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