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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game indicates the requirement for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently 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 state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and habit to hit huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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