Australia announce 15-man squad for first Ashes Test 2025-26; Steve Smith to captain and 3 uncapped players picked

Australia have announced a 15-man squad for the first Ashes Test 2025-26, starting on November 21 at Optus Stadium in Perth. with Pat Cummins scrapped from the series opener, Steve Smith will captain the hosts, while three uncapped players have been included in Jake Weatherald, Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett.

Left-hander Weatherald received his first call-up to the Test squad and could open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja in Perth. The 31-year-old has been in promising form in the ongoing Sheffield Shield, hitting 248 runs in three matches at 41.33 alongside a best of 94. Pacers Doggett and Abbott have also been in the Test squad before but are unlikely to play in the opening Test.

Marnus Labuschagne he is also close to re-entering the playing eleven after being dropped for the tour of West Indies earlier this year. The right-handed batsman is currently the leading run-getter in the Sheffield Shield season, amassing 341 runs in four innings at a mighty average of 85.25. It remains to be seen whether he opens the innings, having done so for Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against south africa.

Australia Team: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell StarcJake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

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“The team gives us a good balance” – Cricket Australia's head of selection

Australia's chief selector George Bailey stated that they have not yet focused on the playing eleven and will take a good look at it after the next round of the Sheffield Shield. The former captain said, as quoted cricket.com.au:

“The squad gives us a good balance and with 14 of those picked playing in the next round of the Sheffield Shield, we will continue to gather information as we get closer to the start of the first Test.”

Elaboration of the non-selection of Constas himselfBailey said the message to all players is to keep scoring runs in the first-class arena. He elaborated:

“I feel for Sammy. There's a handful of young lads his age playing Shield cricket around the country, and they're all learning, they're all going through a journey to become the best cricketer they can be, and Sammy's no different in that. We like him a lot. We like the skill he's got. But the message is keep it simple and keep scoring runs and batting for New South Wales as long as you can.”

The Australians had won England 4-0 in the last Ashes Down Under.