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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the need for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a reserve after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at this level and ought to embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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