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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool minds during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and should embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to score big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C