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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost finished after Australia revealed a 15-player team to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the need for cool temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and can welcome the unique chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. 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 first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series 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 Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C