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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is practically finished after Australia announced a 15-member squad to face England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the requirement for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other main bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and should embrace the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and tendency to score big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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