Australia names 15-player squad for Perth Ashes Test with Smith as captain

Post by : Mina Rahman

Australia has unveiled a 15-player squad for the opening Ashes Test in Perth later this month; the selection does not yet determine the final playing eleven. Steve Smith will captain the team in place of Pat Cummins, who remains out with a back injury, and Travis Head has been named vice-captain.

Selectors chair George Bailey described the group as offering a sensible balance across roles. With 14 squad members scheduled to feature in the upcoming round of the Sheffield Shield, the selection panel will continue monitoring performances before settling on the first Test combination.

The squad includes three Test newcomers: batsman Jake Weatherald and pace bowlers Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott. Weatherald is being considered for an opening slot alongside Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja. Bailey highlighted Weatherald’s sustained form over the past 18 months and said his approach complements the squad’s makeup.

All-rounders Cameron Green, who has recently returned from back surgery, and Beau Webster make the cut, while Alex Carey is named as wicketkeeper with Josh Inglis provided as cover. The pace and spin departments are anchored by Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon.

Bailey also said there remains optimism that Pat Cummins could rejoin the side later in the series depending on his recovery. When pressed on the projected starting eleven, he declined to commit, noting the final XI will be confirmed closer to the match and could be influenced by conditions on the day.

Notable omissions include Sam Konstas, who featured in three Tests on the recent West Indies tour but was left out after a run of poor domestic scores, recording only one fifty in seven innings this season.

The Ashes commences at Optus Stadium in Perth from 21–25 November. Subsequent Tests are scheduled in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. England earlier announced a 16-player squad with Ben Stokes as captain and Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley earmarked as their openers.