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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to confront England in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the necessity for cool heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets 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 rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding 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 come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question if he can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive approach and tendency to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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