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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost done following the Australian team announced a 15-man team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the need for calm minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and should welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side till C