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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically done following Australia announced a 15-man squad to take on England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener indicates the need for cool heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to score massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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