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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for cool minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and should embrace the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter if required to accelerate or help steer 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 matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put 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. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C