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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly over after Australia unveiled a 15-member team to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the necessity for cool minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the debut instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and can embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and habit to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C