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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game indicates the requirement for calm heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at this level and should seize the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to hit massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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