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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically finished after Australia announced a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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