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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the necessity for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a substitute following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and should seize the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a far more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and propensity to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C