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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and can embrace the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green 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 Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question whether he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and tendency to score big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side until C