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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost done after Australia unveiled a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and should seize the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously 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 lead the side until C