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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically over following Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the need for cool heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at the top level and ought to seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to score big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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