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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost finished following Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to face England in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game indicates the need for calm temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at this level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat 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 veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question whether he can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to score massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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