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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the need for cool heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other key bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if needed to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to score big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C