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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the need for cool minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and can seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to clobber massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C