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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the need for cool heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C