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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at international cricket and ought to seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman whether needed to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to hit massive runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite 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 batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side until C