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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game indicates the need for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a reserve following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has turned into a object for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at the top level and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking intent and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team until C