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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost finished following Australia announced a 15-man team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the necessity for composed minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more composed batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team until C