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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the need for composed minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again selected as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side till C