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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener indicates the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a reserve following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also 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 bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to score big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C