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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically over after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to take on England in the first Test. The larger group for the series opener indicates the necessity for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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