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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and should welcome the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batter whether required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few 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 domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side until C