Australia have announced a 15-member squad for the first Test of the Ashes series, which begins on 21 November in Perth. The squad sees a surprise call-up for 31-year-old opener Jake Weatherald, while experienced opener Mitchell Marsh has been omitted.
Weatherald has been included as an opening option, reflecting his excellent form in the Sheffield Shield this season. Emerging openers Sam Constas and Matt Renshaw have been left out of the squad, making Weatherald’s selection a notable talking point ahead of the series.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins will miss the first Test due to a back injury. In his absence, Steve Smith will lead the side as captain.
The squad includes a mix of experienced campaigners and in-form players, giving Australia several options in both batting and bowling departments. Weatherald’s inclusion provides depth at the top of the order, while the bowling attack remains strong with the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon.
| Player | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | Captain / Batsman | Will lead in Cummins’ absence |
| Sean Abbott | All-rounder | |
| Scott Boland | Bowler | |
| Alex Carey | Wicketkeeper / Batsman | |
| Brendan Doggett | Bowler | |
| Cameron Green | All-rounder | |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler | |
| Travis Head | Batsman | |
| Josh Inglis | Wicketkeeper / Batsman | |
| Usman Khawaja | Batsman | |
| Marnus Labuschagne | Batsman | |
| Nathan Lyon | Spinner | |
| Mitchell Starc | Bowler | |
| Jake Weatherald | Opener | First Ashes call-up |
| Beau Webster | All-rounder |
This squad reflects Australia’s intent to balance experience with fresh talent, aiming to begin the Ashes series strongly despite the absence of their regular captain. The opening role will be closely watched, with Weatherald set to make his Test debut at the top of the order, and expectations are high for a strong performance from the team in Perth.