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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game indicates the need for calm minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining new players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and can seize the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman whether needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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