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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly over following the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game points to the need for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and can embrace the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more confident batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining 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 keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C