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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost done after Australia announced a 15-player squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game points to the requirement for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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