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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost done after Australia announced a 15-player squad to face England in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match indicates the necessity for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at international cricket and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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