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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly finished after Australia announced a 15-member team to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the need for cool temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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