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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically over after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the series opener suggests the need for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again selected as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and can seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team until C