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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically done following Australia announced a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game points to the need for cool minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at the top level and should embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batter if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic 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 line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and tendency to score big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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