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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly over after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the necessity for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other new players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again selected as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a object for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and should embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and tendency to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side till C