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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly finished after Australia announced a 15-member team to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the necessity for calm heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and habit to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C