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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and can seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. 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 arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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