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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost finished after Australia revealed a 15-member team to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for calm heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their possible effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. 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 well as for his reserved demeanor off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to score big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to 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 squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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