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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the need for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and propensity to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team until C