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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the necessity for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more selected as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the team till C