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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost finished after Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to face England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for composed minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other key bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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