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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost over following the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at the top level and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and propensity to score big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C