Ashes analysis: Four talking points from Australia’s squad selection v England

Australia have named a 15-man squad for the first Ashes Test in Perth, beginning on November 21, with three uncapped players included by chief selector George Bailey.

Opening batter Jake Weatherald is in strong contention to debut, whilst seamers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett will likely be carrying the drinks on standby for any potential injuries.

Marnus Labuschagne is set for a recall to the XI after scoring five centuries in eight innings, but there is no room for wonderkid Sam Konstas, who faces a period on the domestic circuit to focus his development away from the spotlight.

Cameron Green is the only member of the squad under the age of 30, which, given their success over the past decade, is not a surprise, though it does point towards a lack of future planning in comparison to England’s more bold approach, as the majority of the group get set for what will very likely be their final home Ashes series.

We take a look at some of the key takeaways from the squad, which will be led by Steve Smith for the Perth Test in the absence of Pat Cummins.

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Jake Weatherald gets the nod in latest attempt to solve opener conundrum

Who will partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order has been at the forefront of discussions in the build-up to the start of the Ashes series.

After three rounds of domestic red-ball action, the national selectors have opted for 31-year-old Weatherald, who could make his Test debut in Perth.

The left-hander made his First-Class debut in the 2015-16 season, finishing runner-up for the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award, and has been a consistent performer across formats for much of his career, but it was last season where he established himself as the leading batter in the Sheffield Shield with 906 runs at an average of 50.33 and three centuries.

That form for Tasmania has continued into the new campaign with three half-centuries, including a crucial 94 in a narrow win over Western Australia, at a healthy strike of 76.07, with the hope that his positive style can complement the more sedate Khawaja in a more controlled manner than his predecessor, Konstas.

With Australia also having one eye on 38-year-old Khawaja’s replacement in the near future, the Ashes could present the perfect opportunity for Weatherald to cement his place as one of Australia’s longer-term openers.

Should Weatherald be selected, he will be Khawaja’s sixth different opening partner in 16 Test matches since David Warner retired after a number of middle-order elevations, as well as debuts for Nathan McSweeney and Konstas against India last year.

Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne has returned to the squad 

Who will bat at no.3?

Cameron Green

The composition of Australia’s batting order, either side of Smith and Travis Head, rests heavily on the fitness of all-rounder Green, who is targeting an extended spell of bowling during the upcoming round of Sheffield Shield action.

Green has been playing as a specialist batter in an unfamiliar no.3 position since recovering from a serious back injury, whilst Beau Webster has commendably fulfilled the all-rounder role in the middle order.

Whilst Green impressed against West Indies in difficult conditions, the imperious form of Labuschagne in recent weeks has made it almost unfathomable that he will not be recalled to the XI in Perth, most likely in his tried-and-tested position.

Marnus Labuschagne

Should Green be deemed physically capable to perform as the fourth seamer, the expected scenario would see the 26-year-old return to his former position at no.6 in place of Webster, given his superior home record with the ball, which would also allow Weatherald to debut at the top of the order and provide a more structured batting line-up.

However, if Australia feel Webster will provide more reliability given Green’s progression has not quite gone to plan in terms of competitive overs under his belt, then the pair would maintain their places and Labuschagne instead could operate as an opener as he did in the World Test Championship final, leaving Weatherald to wait for his opportunity.

There are doubts over the fitness of Australia’s Cameron Green

Uncapped duo provide fast bowling depth

Much has been made of captain Cummins’ absence for the first Test, but in Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland, England still face a serious challenge against a formidable pace attack.

Abbott, 33, and Doggett, 31, have both been named as the reserve bowlers, but neither have yet received a baggy green.

Abbott has been a regular in the international set-up over the past decade, particularly in white ball cricket, but has often found himself limited to a squad option, which will more than likely be the case again here, with his handy batting ability not enough to offset a rather uninspiring red-ball record in his primary role with the ball.

Doggett has yet to feature on the international stage but will likely be the first to be called upon should any of the three ahead of him suffer an injury between now and the time Cummins returns.

The towering quick has 184 First-Class wickets at an average of 26.75, including an 11-wicket-haul in a player-of-the-match display as South Australia beat Queensland in the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield final, as well as recording match figures of 7-86 in his only First-Class domestic outing so far this season.

Much has been made around the age profile of Australia’s squad and depth beyond their key starters, which may only be a concern for the future rather than the present, though by contrast, England’s most inexperienced of their seven seam-bowling options is Josh Tongue, who already has 31 Test wickets and an Ashes appearance to his name.

Who has missed out?

Sam Konstas

There were a number of names in the race for the top order spot, with 20-year-old Konstas the one to miss out after averaging just 8.33 across the tour of West Indies.

Despite impressing with a half-century on debut against India at the MCG with an array of flamboyant shots, Konstas was then not selected for the World Test Championship final, and since failed to stake his claim with just one fifty in the Sheffield Shield, which meant an omission for a more experienced option was to be expected.

Matthew Renshaw

Left-handed Matthew Renshaw had a lot of support to fill the void, including an endorsement from his Queensland teammate Khawaja to be recalled after his last Test appearance in February 2023.

Renshaw has averaged 29.31 across 14 previous Tests, with a high score of 184 against Pakistan at Sydney and made a century in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield before being called up for the recent ODI series against India, with the 29-year-old likely to be next in line should an opportunity arise later in the series.

Former Australia openers Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris both hit centuries in the most recent Sheffield Shield round, though they would have been left-field calls, as would white-ball opener Mitchell Marsh and talented southpaw Campbell Kellaway, who were both also tipped as potential wildcard selections.

Michael Neser & Fergus O’Neill

With the ball, veteran seamer Michael Neser has so often been the man in reserve and after a solid start to the domestic season, he can perhaps feel a tad unlucky he is not once again, though given the 35-year-old’s only two Test appearances have both been pink-ball contests at Adelaide, it would not be a surprise to see him called up for the Day-Night Gabba Test.

Fergus O’Neill is another name in the mix and at the age of 24 provides a much-needed prospect to Australia’s long-term bowling stocks, with an outstanding record of 146 First-Class scalps at an average of just 20.62.

Despite his strong domestic performances over the past two years, O’Neill’s lack of genuine pace may be a contributing factor to his snub, though his spell at Trent Bridge for Nottinghamshire during the early rounds of the 2025 County Championship suggests he could be a major force for the touring Aussies in 2027.

Full Australia squad for the first Ashes Test

Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

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