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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – 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 needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C