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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-man team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again selected as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough 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 fast bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and should seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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