Ashes 2025-26: Australian selectors have made a big surprise ahead of the upcoming Ashes 2025–26 series against England. The hosts have named their 15-member squad for the five-match Test series, with the opener set to take place in Perth on Wednesday (November 5).
Rising star Sam Konstas has been left out, while Tasmania’s in-form opener Jake Weatherald has received his first-ever Test call-up for the Ashes opener starting November 21 at Optus Stadium in Perth.
A Mix of Experience and Fresh Energy
The squad features a good balance of seasoned players and new faces. Marnus Labuschagne, who was dropped during the West Indies series earlier this year, is back after a brilliant domestic season with Queensland. His exact batting position, however, is still undecided, as the selectors are waiting to see if Cameron Green will be fully fit to take on his all-rounder duties.
Australian chair of selectors George Bailey said, “He (Marnus Labuschagne) can bat three; he could open. He’s got the skill set for both, and he’s been looking pretty good of late.”
Why Jake Weatherald Got the Nod
Weatherald’s selection has caught everyone’s attention. The left-hander has been in top form, scoring over 1300 runs at an average above 50 for Tasmania and Australia A across formats in the past year. His ability to score freely while maintaining control has impressed the selectors.
Read More
Speaking about Weatherald’s inclusion, Bailey said, “I think it’s a pretty solid record for sort of 18-24 months. I don’t think there’s any one inning, but there’s been a good consistency, I think, in the way that he approaches his batting. I think he’s in a really clear place. We don’t see any sort of shifting innings to innings from the way he goes about it.”
Sam Konstas Misses Out
Bailey also explained the decision to leave out Sam Konstas, saying, “Every conversation with Sam is a joy-he’s got a great outlook on life, remains incredibly upbeat. (We wanted to) check in, see how he’s feeling about the start of the year, what his focus is at the moment, and then just more about what we could do to support him going forward and what we’d like to see. And as complicated as we try and make cricket, really it’s about runs.”
Ashes 2025-26: Steve Smith to Lead in Cummins’ Absence
With Pat Cummins still recovering from a back injury sustained in the Caribbean earlier this year, Steve Smith will lead Australia in the first Test in Perth.
Read More
The batting lineup includes familiar names such as Travis Head and Usman Khawaja, who have both been key performers in recent seasons. Cameron Green and Beau Webster are set to take on the all-rounder roles, while Alex Carey and Josh Inglis provide two solid wicketkeeping options.
Strong Bowling Attack for Perth
On the bowling front, Nathan Lyon remains Australia’s lone specialist spinner. The pace attack looks fierce with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland expected to spearhead the attack.
Ashes 2025-26 – Australia’s Squad for the 1st Ashes Test
Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon.
This mix of experience and youthful energy promises an exciting start to the Ashes series, as Australia aims to set the tone in front of their home crowd in Perth.
ALSO READ: Désiré Doué Wins 2025 Golden Boy Award: PSG’s Young Star Shines Bright In Europe
