Australia squad for first Ashes Test: Konstas dropped, Labuschagne recalled for series opener against England
Young opener Sam Konstas has been dropped from Australia’s squad for the Ashes, opening the door for uncapped Jake Weatherald to make a test debut in the five-match series against England.
Konstas misses out after a poor tour with the bat in West Indies, while Weatherald has been included after starting the Sheffield Shield season with three half-centuries.
Top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne was recalled after starting the domestic season with five centuries in a major return to form.
“I think we’ve got 14 out of that 15-man squad playing round four (of the Sheffield Shield). Still some information to gather out of that. Cameron Green, being one, returning to the bowling crease,” selectors chairman George Bailey said.
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There was no place for Mitchell Marsh despite the all-rounder’s good form in white-ball cricket and a recent endorsement from coach and selector Andrew McDonald.
Steve Smith will captain the side for at least the first test in Perth, starting on November 21, due to Pat Cummins’s back injury.
FULL SQUAD
Steve Smith (capt), 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.
Published on Nov 05, 2025
