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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is practically over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member squad to take on England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically 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 determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and tendency to score huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter 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 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 consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C