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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost done following the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and can welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batter if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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