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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically done after the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the need for cool heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batter if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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