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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the need for composed heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up after being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and can seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batter if needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to score big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell 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 dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side until C