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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the necessity for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C