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Jake Weatherald joins Australia’s Ashes squad as a potential opener, with Steve Smith captaining in Pat Cummins’s absence.
Steven Smith previously led Australia from 2015 to 2018. (AP Photo)
Uncapped opener Jake Weatherald was named on Wednesday in Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test against England, with Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott included as back-up fast bowlers.
Young opener Sam Konstas has been dropped as Marnus Labuschagne returns, with selectors including the veteran batter in a 15-man group for the first cricket test against England.
Will Weatherald Open?
Should the 31-year-old Weatherald pad up against Ben Stokes’s side, he will be the sixth opening partner for Usman Khawaja since David Warner retired early last year.
Previous experiments with Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, Travis Head, and Marnus Labuschagne did not pan out.
While Weatherald was included in the 15-man squad, chief selector George Bailey refused to confirm whether he would make his debut in Perth on November 21.
All-rounder Green has been playing exclusively as a batsman since his return mid-year following back surgery 13 months ago. He has bowled only a few overs this season so far. If he manages to bowl enough overs to support the attack, Green will likely move down to bat at six, with Weatherald opening and the in-form Marnus Labuschagne taking his preferred spot at number three.
Smith To Captain
Steve Smith will captain the team in the absence of Pat Cummins, who has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies more than three months ago.
Cummins, who will travel with the squad to Perth, is tentatively targeting a return for the day-night second Test in Brisbane from December 4.
In his absence, the ever-reliable Scott Boland will spearhead the attack with fellow quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
Nathan Lyon provides the spin option in his 140th Test, where he can surpass Glenn McGrath to become the sixth-highest wicket-taker in history by claiming two more victims.
Following Perth, the series moves to Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
England drew 2-2 on home turf in the most recent Ashes series in 2023, but have not won in Australia since 2010-2011.
Australia Ashes Squad:
Steve Smith (Captain), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Jake Weatherald, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
November 05, 2025, 08:03 IST
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