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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a substitute after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and can welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and tendency to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team 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 experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team until C