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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and ought to seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more confident batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to score huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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