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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to take on England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the need for cool heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other main attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at this level and should welcome the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have 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 Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C