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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly over after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to confront England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the need for cool minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and can welcome the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack 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 seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side until C