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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the need for cool minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again selected as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more assured batter whether required to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to hit massive runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side until C