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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again trusted as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C