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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to take on England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the need for cool minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a object for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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