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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished after Australia announced a 15-member lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match indicates the need for calm heads during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and ought to seize the unique chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to score massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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