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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost finished after Australia unveiled a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the first match suggests the need for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and ought to seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and habit to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team till C