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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batsman whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team until C