Selectors included Jake Weatherald, who could make his Test debut as an opening batsman. Weatherald was the top run-scorer in the last Sheffield Shield season and also scored a century for Australia A against Sri Lanka A, strengthening his case for national selection.
The fast-bowling department features Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland, with Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett providing additional options. All-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster are also part of the squad, though Green’s inclusion in the playing XI will depend on his fitness and bowling readiness, according to Cricket Australia selector George Bailey.
The squad reflects a mix of experience and form-based selections, with 14 out of 15 players actively participating in the ongoing Sheffield Shield season.
Notably, young opening batsman Sam Konstas has been dropped from the squad. Konstas had been involved in a controversial clash with Indian captain Virat Kohli during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which had drawn widespread attention.
The full squad for the first Test is: 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, and Beau Webster.
With Smith leading in Cummins’ absence and Labuschagne back in form, Australia aims to start the series strongly against England in the high-stakes Ashes contest, setting the tone for the remaining four Tests across the country.
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