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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost finished following Australia unveiled a 15-player team to take on England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match indicates the requirement for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again trusted as a substitute following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and should embrace the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batter if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side until C