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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically finished following Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the requirement for cool heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at international cricket and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to score huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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