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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener points to the necessity for calm minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and should embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C