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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly done following Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again selected as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined 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 journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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