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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly over following Australia revealed a 15-player team to face England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the series opener suggests the necessity for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a object for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and should embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team till C