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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the need for calm heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and can welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter if required to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – 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 front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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