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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly done after the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at international cricket and can embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to hit massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side until C