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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished following Australia announced a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the need for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more selected as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at the top level and should seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batsman if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and habit to clobber massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side until C