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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically done following Australia unveiled a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed minds during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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