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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost done after Australia unveiled a 15-man team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the need for composed heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and habit to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds 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 finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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