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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener indicates the necessity for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and should embrace the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to score massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team until C