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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost over after the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their potential effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and should seize the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C