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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is almost over after Australia announced a 15-player team to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener suggests the need for composed heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer named for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the field. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and should welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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