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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly done after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and can welcome the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batter whether required to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and tendency to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn 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 the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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