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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly done following the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the need for calm heads during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other key bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and should seize the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batter if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team until C