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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match points to the requirement for cool heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other key attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and can welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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