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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener indicates the necessity for calm temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at this level and should seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more assured batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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