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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to take on England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the need for calm temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a back-up following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman whether needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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