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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is almost over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game suggests the need for calm minds during the fiery contest, 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 new 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 player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again selected as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his calm nature off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and should seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team 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 part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C