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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again trusted as a reserve after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to score massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team till C