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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to face England in the first Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the need for calm heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining main attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and should seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side until C