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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly over after the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener points to the requirement for calm heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and ought to embrace the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to score big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C