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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically over following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match suggests the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining new players being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side until C