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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to take on England in the first Test. The larger group for the first match indicates the necessity for calm heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and propensity to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English pace 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 indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side until C