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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over after Australia announced a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the necessity for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to score big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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