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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the requirement for calm heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other main attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C