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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished following Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to face England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the necessity for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batsman whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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