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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game suggests the need for cool temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a substitute following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C