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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to take on England in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the need for calm minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a substitute after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and can embrace the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and tendency to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. 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 the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C