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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished following Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the first match suggests the requirement for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and ought to seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more assured batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted 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 deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C