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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly over following the Australian team revealed a 15-member lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the need for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again selected as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C