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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost done after the Australian team announced a 15-member team to confront England in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the necessity for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting 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 of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C