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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically done following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the initial game indicates the need for composed minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a object for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and can embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C