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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically finished after Australia announced a 15-man team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match suggests the requirement for calm heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more selected as a back-up following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team till C