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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over after Australia announced a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm minds during the fiery contest, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to score massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C