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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the initial game points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to score big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C