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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-man lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match points to the necessity for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at this level and can welcome the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to hit massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side until C