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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern if he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting 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-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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