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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost done after Australia unveiled a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to seize the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C