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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is almost finished following Australia announced a 15-player squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for composed minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a substitute after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to clobber big scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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