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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically over following Australia announced a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again trusted as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and can embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and habit to clobber massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at better 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 captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side until C