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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly over following the Australian team announced a 15-player team to take on England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the need for cool minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to hit massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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