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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically done following Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for calm heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a threat at the top level and should welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C