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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match suggests the need for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining key attackers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets 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 take over to lead the team until C