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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost over after Australia unveiled a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the requirement for composed heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at the top level and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter whether required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team until C