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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost done following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more trusted as a substitute following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batter if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking approach and tendency to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires 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 hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team till C