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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game suggests the requirement for composed heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to hit massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side until C