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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost done after the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at this level and ought to seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter if required to score quickly or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team 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 last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side till C