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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly done after Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and should seize the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team until C