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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more assured batsman if required to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to score big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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