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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match suggests the need for calm minds during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has emerged as a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a threat at this level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side till C