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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically over after the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to take on England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the need for calm minds during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and can welcome the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and propensity to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side until C