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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the need for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining main attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the pitch. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and should welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more composed batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player 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 make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to score huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side till C