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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost finished after Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener indicates the need for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new players being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns 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 an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal 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 preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to score big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side till C