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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly finished following the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest 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 previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team until C