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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to face England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the need for calm heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other front-line attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and can embrace the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and propensity to score big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting 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 demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed 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 absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team until C