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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost over after Australia announced a 15-member squad to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again selected as a reserve after being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other main bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at this level and can seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers 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 an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to hit massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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