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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-player team to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the need for composed heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron 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 Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and tendency to hit massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side until C