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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished following the Australian team announced a 15-player team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the necessity for calm minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and habit to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer 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 star batsman will step in to lead the team till C