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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game points to the requirement for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team till C