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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm temperaments during the fiery battle, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other key bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more assured batsman whether needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically 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 round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and tendency to score big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C