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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the need for cool temperaments during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C