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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining new players being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and propensity to clobber massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C