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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront England in the first Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the need for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again selected as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and should embrace the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following 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 currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side until C