Australia announces strong squad for first Ashes Test; Sam Konstas axed

On Wednesday, November 5, Cricket Australia announced a strong 15-man squad for the forthcoming first Ashes Test, scheduled to start on Friday, November 21, at Perth Stadium. Steve Smith has been appointed as the stand-in captain in Pat Cummins’ absence.

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Tasmania in-form batter Jake Weatherald is line to make his international debut as he has been named in the squad. On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne has also been recalled after his impressive start to the Sheffield Shield season.

Unfortunately, out-of-form opening batter Sam Konstas has been axed from the squad entirely, having scored 3, 5, 25, 0, 17, and 0 in Australia's last Test series in the West Indies earlier this year.

"The squad gives us good balance and, with 14 of those chosen playing the next round of Sheffield Shield, we will continue to gather information as we move closer to the start of the first Test," Chief Selector George Bailey said in a statement.

While Alex Carey is the designated keeper-batter choice, Josh Inglis is also in the squad as the backup keeper. Uncapped fast bowlers Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott are also part of the squad, but might not be a part of the playing XI.

Ashes 2025-26 schedule

First Test: November 21-25, Perth Stadium

Second Test: December 4-8, The Gabba, Brisbane (D/N)

Third Test: December 17-21: Adelaide Oval

Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne

Fifth Test: January 4-8: SCG, Sydney

Australia squad: (First Test only): 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 Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.

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