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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically over after Australia unveiled a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the initial game indicates the need for calm minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a object for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and can embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter if required 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 during the last few Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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