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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to take on England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match indicates the need for cool minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a substitute following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and should welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman if required to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side until C