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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically finished after Australia announced a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match suggests the need for calm temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other new members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again selected as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more confident batter whether required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent 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 grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C