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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost over following Australia announced a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener indicates the requirement for calm minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and should embrace the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, 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 currently a far more assured batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more 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 although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although 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 missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C