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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the need for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the field. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and tendency to score big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C