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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the necessity for cool heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and tendency to clobber massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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