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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically done after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a substitute after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other key bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and ought to seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side till C