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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the requirement for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a object for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and should embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and habit to score big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C