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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-player lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match indicates the necessity for cool minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and should seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter if needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the team till C