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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost over following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match suggests the necessity for composed minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C