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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-member team to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the necessity for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter if required to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent 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 enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C