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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically done after Australia revealed a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at this level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter if required to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home 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 might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side until C