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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over after Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the need for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at the top level and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batter if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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