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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly done after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the first match points to the requirement for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batsman if required to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and tendency to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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