Australia Announce Playing XI for First Ashes Test

Australia will hand Test debuts to Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett in the first Ashes match against England at Perth Stadium. Captain Steve Smith confirmed the selections, making them Baggy Green cap recipients number 472 and 473.

This marks the first time since the 2010-11 season that Australia will field multiple debutants in an Ashes Test. Usman Khawaja and Michael Beer were the last pair to achieve this.

Australia’s Confirmed Line-Up

The confirmed Australian XI is: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.

The 31-year-old Weatherald, last season’s leading Sheffield Shield run-scorer, will become Khawaja’s seventh opening partner since 2022. Doggett, also 31, earns his cap after impressive domestic form and with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both injured.

Australia XI for first Test: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland

The selection leaves all-rounder Beau Webster unfortunate to miss out. Webster has averaged 35 with the bat and 23 with the ball since replacing Mitch Marsh last summer.

Cameron Green’s return to bowling ultimately squeezed Webster out of the team. Green will play his first international as a full all-rounder since back surgery over a year ago. He will bat at number six, with Labuschagne reclaiming the number three position.

Labuschagne, dropped for recent Tests in the Caribbean, has scored five centuries to start the domestic summer. Nathan Lyon also returns to the team at a venue that is statistically his best in Australia.

England named a 12-man squad yesterday, with Ollie Pope securing the number three position. Speedster Mark Wood has been cleared of hamstring tightness as England decide between four quicks or spinner Shoaib Bashir.