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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to face the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the first match points to the need for composed minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and habit to hit big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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