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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost done following the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener points to the need for cool heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and should embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to score massive runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays 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 century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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