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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to take on England in the first Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the requirement for cool heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally 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 dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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