TOP STORIES
Australia unveil squad for first Ashes Test, Labuschagne returns to the fold
Australia have unveiled a 15-man squad for the opening Test of the Ashes, set to begin on 21 November in Perth, and it features some significant selection moves. Uncapped opener Jake Weatherald has been named in the squad, and veteran campaigner Marnus Labuschagne has been recalled after a supreme domestic start. Labuschagne returns to the fold after his dominant start in the domestic Sheffield Shield season.
Weatherald’s inclusion is seen as one of Australia’s most daring ahead of one of their most anticipated Tests in recent years. Despite never having played a Test for Australia, his consistent domestic form has finally earned the selector's nod. Weatherald has smoked 248 runs at an average of 41.33 for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield this season.
Australia captain Pat Cummins is unavailable for the first Test due to a stress injury to his back, meaning Steve Smith will captain at least the Perth Test. Notably, Sam Konstas has been left out following a dismal show in the Test series in the Caribbean earlier this year. The young gun could only score 50 runs across six innings.
"The squad gives us good balance and, with 14 of those chosen playing the next round of Sheffield Shield, we will continue to gather information as we move closer to the start of the first Test," Selection chief George Bailey said in a statement.
Australia's First Test squad: Steve Smith (c), 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
Tags
More News
Virat Kohli claims massive milestone in SENA countries, overtakes Rahul Dravid
Indian maverick Virat Kohli claimed a massive milestone in his incredibly glittering career. During the second ODI against England in Cardiff, the legendary batter became the Indian player with the highest number of ODI half-centuries in SENA countries. Kohli's scored a composed knock of 65 runs from 66 deliveries, notching up his 30th half-century in ODIs played across South A...
Gurnoor Brar pulled up for code of conduct breach
India pacer Gurnoor Brar has been given a warning after breaching level one of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first ODI between England and India in Birmingham. Brar was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate and or dangerous manner...
"Lots of eyes and fingers will be pointed at Gautam Gambhir": AB de Villiers amid India's unexpected slump in T20Is
India were dealt crushing series defeats in the recently concluded T20I assignments against Ireland and England, with the defending champions struggling to match the intensity shown by the opposition and being handed a wake-up call. Across both series, India were clean swept, going down 2-0 to Ireland and 4-0 to England. Amid India's sudden dow...
Moises Henriques retires from Australian domestic cricket
Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques has retired from Australian domestic cricket. Moises, who announced his first-class retirement in March 2025, led Sydney Sixers to the final of the BBL earlier this year in January; however, he was not given a contract for the upcoming season of the BBL, following which he decided to end his career with 154 BBL matches under his belt. ...
Ashwin urges Indian management to back Kuldeep Yadav
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised questions over the way wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is being managed by the Indian management, asserting that the left-arm spinner deserves a more consistent role in the ODI side. Kuldeep has been left out of three of India's last four ODIs, including the opening ODI against England in Birmingham. On most occa...
Android App
iOS App
YouTube
Instagram
Twitter