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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically done following the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the need for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can seize the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, 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 reserve keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English 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 left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul 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 take over to captain the side till C