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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to face England in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the need for calm temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a object for England for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and ought to welcome the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team until C