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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly over following Australia revealed a 15-member lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the need for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and can welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more confident batsman if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score massive runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team till C