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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the need for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can embrace the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more composed batter if required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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