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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished following Australia unveiled a 15-member lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other main attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side until C