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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener points to the requirement for composed heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and can seize the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and tendency to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side till C