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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost done following Australia announced a 15-man team to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the necessity for composed heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at the top level and should seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side till C