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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly done after Australia unveiled a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and should welcome the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter whether needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and habit to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably 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 after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team till C