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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly over after Australia revealed a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at international cricket and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, 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 currently a far more confident batter if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified 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 crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C