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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is practically finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for cool heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at this level and can embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more confident batsman if required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side till C