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The period for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly finished following the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and should welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C