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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-player squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more selected as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and ought to embrace the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batter if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and habit to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C