SYDNEY: Australia’s selectors have unveiled the 15-member squad for the opening Ashes Test against England, with Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald earning his maiden international call-up following a phenomenal run of domestic form.
The squad also features the return of middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne, who was controversially omitted for the West Indies series earlier this year.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey hailed Weatherald’s consistency, pointing to his impressive tally of 1,391 runs at an average of 53.50, struck at 68.65, over the past 14 months for Tasmania and Australia A.
“He’s someone who has a clear understanding of the way they want to play,” Bailey said, praising the opener’s solid record and clear batting approach. “By virtue of that, he just happens to score at four runs per over, and has some natural attacking strengths without sort of being cavalier with that.”
The Australian team will be led by Steven Smith for the first Test, as regular captain Pat Cummins continues to recover from a lumbar stress injury. Cummins will travel with the team to Perth and aims to be fit for the second Test in Brisbane.
The selection panel has opted to leave out young batter Sam Konstas but welcomed back Labuschagne, whose versatility, according to Bailey, provides multiple options.
“He can bat three, he could open,” Bailey noted. “He’s got the skill set for both, but he’s been looking pretty good of late.”
The final playing XI and batting order remain undecided, pending the fitness and workload of all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster, both of whom have been named in the squad. Green is slated to bowl 15–20 overs for Western Australia in the upcoming Sheffield Shield match on November 11 as he ramps up his workload.
“Cam Green bowling is certainly one [to watch],” Bailey said, emphasising that Green could bat anywhere in the order, having successfully performed at No. 3 in challenging Caribbean conditions earlier this year.
Veteran opener Usman Khawaja will miss the upcoming Shield match due to a minor adductor strain, but the selector confirmed his availability for the first Ashes Test is not in doubt.
