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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game indicates the need for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 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 danger at this level and can embrace the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may 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 fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C