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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically over following Australia revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for calm minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a danger at the top level and ought to seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make 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 difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side till C