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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically over following the Australian team announced a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the need for calm heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at this level and ought to seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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