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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to take on England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the necessity for cool heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and should welcome the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and propensity to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side until C