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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match suggests the need for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a substitute after being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and habit to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side till C