The Australian cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for the first match of the historic Ashes series against England. Steve Smith has been named captain in place of the injured Pat Cummins for the first Test in Perth on November 21st. Cricket Australia has suprised everyone with their squad selection as some of the big names are missing from the team. Sam Konstas, who had some heated moment with Virat Kohli, is also out from the squad for now. Multiple uncapped cricketers are named for the highly anticipated match.
The squad includes new opener Jake Weatherald, along with backup pacers Brandon Doggett and Sean Abbott. The 31-year-old has been a strong batsman in domestic cricket for the past few years. England, which drew the 2023 home Ashes series 2-2, hasn’t won in Australia since 2010-2011. The 31-year-old Weatherald could become Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner’s retirement last year. Previously, Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Constad, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne have failed to make much of an impact as openers.
Bailey said, “The playing eleven hasn’t been finalized yet. Obviously, 14 of our 15-man squad will play in the fourth round (of the Sheffield Shield). We still have some information to gather from him.”
Cummins, who has been sidelined since the West Indies match due to a lower back injury, will travel with the team to Perth and is expected to return for the second day-night Test in Brisbane, starting December 4th. in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has been dismissed. He was fined 20% of his match fee and given one demerit point for his controversial push against Kohli during the 2024 Boxing Day Test.
Australia squad
Steve Smith (captain), 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 and Beau Webster.