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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost over following Australia revealed a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the initial game indicates the necessity for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a threat at this level and should seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role 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 help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C