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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost over following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the necessity for calm minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and can welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much 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 far more composed batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C