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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-man team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following 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 within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs 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 seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to score big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side until C