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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly done after the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the need for composed minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to score big scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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