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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to confront England in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the need for composed temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and can seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter if required to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and tendency to score big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old 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 flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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