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The much-awaited Ashes series between Australia and England will begin in Perth on Friday. A day before the match, Australia announced their playing 11 for the first Test, giving opportunities to two new players. In the absence of Pat Cummins, Steve Smith will lead the Australian side.
Two 31-year-old players to make Test debut
Australia has included Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett in the playing 11, both of whom will make their Test debut in Perth. This is the first time since 2019 that Australia will hand two debut caps in the same Test match. The last instance of this happening in the Ashes was during the 2010–11 New Year Test, when Usman Khawaja and Michael Beer debuted.
Australia continue their opening experiments
Veteran batter Usman Khawaja will open the innings with Jake Weatherald. Since returning to the Test team in 2022, this will be Khawaja’s seventh opening partner.
Weatherald has an impressive first-class record, scoring 5322 runs in 77 matches at an average of 37.47, including 13 centuries and 26 fifties.
Starc to lead the bowling attack
With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood unavailable, Mitchell Starc will spearhead the Australian bowling attack. He will be supported by Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett, and Nathan Lyon, who will shoulder key responsibilities in the bowling department.
Australia’s Playing 11 - 1st Test
- Usman Khawaja
- Jake Weatherald
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith (C)
- Travis Head
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Brendan Doggett
- Scott Boland
HERE WE GO ?
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 20, 2025
The Australian XI for the first Ashes Test in Perth ? pic.twitter.com/6lXwDZ7hBe
England announce 12-member squad
England have named a 12-man squad for the Perth Test, keeping the final team selection suspenseful. The visitors will decide on match day whether they want to field an all-pace attack or include a specialist spinner in Shoaib Bashir.
All eyes will be on England’s final decision, especially considering the pace-friendly conditions of the Perth pitch.
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