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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the need for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other front-line attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to embrace the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter if required to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and habit to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing 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 match helped turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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