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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically done after Australia unveiled a 15-player team to take on England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener suggests the need for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and should embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and tendency to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a transition at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team until C