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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is nearly over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and should embrace the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. 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 series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side till C