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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost done after Australia revealed a 15-player team to confront England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the need for calm minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and should welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C