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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game points to the need for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and can seize the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling 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 demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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