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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again selected as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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