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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the necessity for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality away from the field. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and should embrace the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more composed batter if needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team until C