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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically over after the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the requirement for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at the top level and should welcome the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side until C