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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to confront England in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game points to the requirement for composed minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and can embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side till C