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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game points to the necessity for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining main attackers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an 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 should embrace the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing 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 match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side until C