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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost finished after Australia revealed a 15-player team to confront England in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a back-up following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more composed batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team till C