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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for composed heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at this level and should welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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