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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener points to the need for composed heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, 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 wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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