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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically over following Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to take on England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match suggests the necessity for composed heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. Yet 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 the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at this level and should embrace the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team till C