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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly done after Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match points to the need for cool minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again trusted as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking intent and habit to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just 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 team till C