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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost finished following the Australian team announced a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the need for cool minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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