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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the need for cool temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C