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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed minds during the fiery battle, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter if needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and habit to score massive runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good start against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team till C