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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost finished after Australia revealed a 15-player team to face England in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener suggests the need for composed minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new members being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more selected as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at international cricket and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batter if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s pace attack in what might 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 ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C