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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost over after the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the first match indicates the necessity for calm minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a back-up after being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the field. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter if required to score quickly or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C