Guest User-442311 - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2025Australia has announced its 15-man squad for the first Ashes Test against England. Several major changes have been made to the team, including the omission of Sam Konstas. In his place, Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald has been included in the international Test squad for the first time.
Sam Konstas poor performance in the recent series against the West Indies. He scored 3, 5, 25, 0, 17, and 0 runs in six innings. These performances were not enough to keep him in the team, so the selectors dropped him from the squad.
Marnus Labuschagne, who was omitted from the West Indies tour this year, has returned to excellent form. He scored a lot of runs for Queensland in the home series, almost guaranteeing his return to the playing XI for the first Ashes Test.
Australia's regular captain, Pat Cummins, will miss the first Test due to a back injury, but is expected to be fit and back for the second. Consequently, Steve Smith will captain the Kangaroos in the first Ashes Test.
Chairman of the selection committee, George Bailey, stated that the final eleven and batting order have not yet been finalized. He added that Labuschagne can bat at any number. Bailey stated that the team's balance is good, and that 14 of the 15 players are playing in the Sheffield Shield, so more information will be available before the start of the first Test.
Regarding Cummins' fitness, Bailey said he expects him to return for the second Test. If that doesn't happen, he is likely to return by the third Test.
The Australian team selected for the first Ashes Test, which begins with the start of the 2025 Ashes, includes new opener Jake Weatherald, as well as backup pacemen Brandon Doggett and Sean Abbott. Following a 2-2 draw in the 2023 home Ashes series, England have not won in Australia since 2010-2011.
The 2025-26 Ashes series will begin on November 21, 2025, with the first Test match between Australia and England in Perth. Notably, for the first time since 1982-83, the first match of the series will be held in Perth instead of Brisbane. This time, England is touring Australia. Last season, when Australia toured England, the series ended in a 2-2 draw.
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, Beau Webster.
