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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and can seize the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure 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 deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up 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 earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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