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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the need for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and can seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter if required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking approach and tendency to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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