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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to take on England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new players being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and can welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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