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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost finished following Australia announced a 15-man team to take on England in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the need for composed minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at the top level and can seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team till C