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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly done following Australia revealed a 15-man team to confront England in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the need for calm temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team till C