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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener indicates the need for calm minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more selected as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other key attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more assured batsman whether required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best 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 bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C