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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost done after the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the necessity for cool heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at this level and can seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran 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 critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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