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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly done after Australia announced a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the necessity for calm minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a threat at the top level and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting 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 considerably more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies 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 bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C