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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is practically done following Australia unveiled a 15-man team to take on England in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game points to the need for cool heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to hit huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side till C