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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-man team to face England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the need for calm heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a substitute after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a object for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and ought to seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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