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The period for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly done after Australia revealed a 15-member team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the necessity for composed heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to hit massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist 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 of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England 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 calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side until C