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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over following the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the necessity for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and tendency to score massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team until C