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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is practically finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to face the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a substitute after being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batter if needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and propensity to score big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays 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. However after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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