Australia have named a 15-player squad for the first Ashes Test against England in Perth (Nov 21–25), with Sam Konstas left out and Jake Weatherald handed his first international call-up.
Konstas out, Weatherald in
Konstas, who partnered Usman Khawaja earlier this year against India, misses after a lean run of scores in recent times.
Chief selector George Bailey said the message for the Sam Konstas is to keep playing the domestic cricket and work on his technique.
In contrast, Jake Weatherald has marked his way in the test squad after scoring 1,391 runs at 53.50 (SR 68.65) across list A cricket in the last 14 months.
Labuschagne recalled; batting order flexible
Meanwhile, trusted Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne returns to the test squad following a prolific form in the Shield season.
Bailey said Labuschagne “can bat three, he could open,” and the final order will hinge on team balance, especially whether Cameron Green can operate fully as an allrounder.
Green’s bowling will shape XI
Green is due to bowl 15–20 overs for Western Australia in the next Shield round starting Nov 11.
If he pulls up well, selectors could field both Green and fellow allrounder Beau Webster in the team.
Bailey stressed there’s no rush to lock in the playing XI, with 14 of the 15 squad members playing Shield cricket this week.
Pace, spin and leadership
With Pat Cummins (back) building workloads and targeting a return for Brisbane, Steven Smith will captain the first test.
The likely four-man attack for Perth is Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon, with at least one allrounder in support.
Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott provide fast-bowling cover in the squad.
Josh Inglis is the reserve wicketkeeper and can also play as a specialist batter.
Khawaja has a minor adductor strain but is expected to be fine in the opening match.
Australia squad (First Test)
Steven Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
Series schedule
- 1st Test: Perth, Nov 21–25
- 2nd: Brisbane (D/N), Dec 4–8
- 3rd: Adelaide, Dec 17–21
- 4th: Melbourne, Dec 26–30
- 5th: Sydney, Jan 4–8
For the opening Ashes Test, Sam Konstas misses out while Jake Weatherald is in line for a debut, and Marnus Labuschagne returns.
The final batting order will depend on Cameron Green’s bowling readiness, with Australia keeping options open until the Shield round finishes.
