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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically finished following Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the need for composed minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and can embrace the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely 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 dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C