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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the need for composed heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at the top level and ought to embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and habit to score big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed 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 at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’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 until C