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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost finished following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. The larger group for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more assured batter if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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