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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost finished after Australia revealed a 15-player team to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the need for composed minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at this level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and tendency to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair 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 knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team until C