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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and can seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to score huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side till C