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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly done after Australia announced a 15-member squad to face England in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match indicates the necessity for composed minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and can seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C