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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost over following the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more trusted as a reserve after being a consistent 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 schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and can welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to score big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side till C