Australia have named their 15-man squad for the opening Ashes Test against England in Perth, with Sam Konstas left out and Marnus Labuschagne recalled after a prolific start to the domestic season. Uncapped left-hander Jake Weatherald has earned his first international call-up and is battling to open the batting.
Weatherald earns his place after finishing top scorer in last season’s Sheffield Shield and has maintained his strong red-ball form into the new campaign. His inclusion points to a likely partnership with Usman Khawaja when the first Test begins at the Perth Stadium on November 21.
Labuschagne, left out during the West Indies series earlier this year, is set to regain his place in the XI after a prolific start to the season for Queensland. His exact batting position will depend on whether Weatherald fits in as a specialist opener, with the selectors opting for clearly defined top-order roles.
“The squad gives us a good balance and with 14 selected playing in the next round of the Sheffield Shield we will continue to gather information as we get closer to the start of the first Test,” said chief selector George Bailey.
“We look forward to the group coming together and preparing in Perth after a busy home and white ball schedule for the start of the summer.”
The team will be captained by Steve Smith in the absence of Pat Cummins. Cummins continues to recover from a hamstring injury but will travel with the team to manage his workload in the hope of returning for the Brisbane Test.
Australia’s attack is expected to feature Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon, with Lyon returning after the selectors opted for an all-seam attack in Jamaica. Cameron Green and Beau Webster both remain in the squad, although it is uncertain whether both all-rounders will play again.
Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott are named as backups. Doggett returns after pulling out of the Caribbean tour with a hip injury, while Abbott retains his place after the team’s back-to-back appearances earlier this year. There is no place for Michael Neser despite his brilliant start in the Shield, taking 11 wickets in two matches on batting-friendly surfaces.
Josh Inglis has been included as back-up wicketkeeper but also provides cover as a batsman after deputizing for the injured Smith at No.4 in Barbados and holding on during Australia’s final Test when Alex Carey was replaced with concussion.
Australia’s first Test team: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
England team: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 5, 2025
