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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to take on England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for composed heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a back-up following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and can welcome the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and habit to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batters failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side till C