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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the necessity for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again trusted as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he 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 campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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