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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost over following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to face England in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and should seize the unique chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to clobber massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C