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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost over following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the requirement for calm minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and ought to seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batter whether required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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