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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is nearly finished following Australia unveiled a 15-member team to confront England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the need for cool minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a object for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and ought to embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team until C