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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the necessity for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and ought to welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batter whether required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C