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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is nearly finished after Australia revealed a 15-player team to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match points to the necessity for calm minds during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has become a focus for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should embrace the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C