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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the necessity for calm minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and ought to seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and habit to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team until C