Australia Announces Squad for Ashes Test: Constas Dropped, Labuschagne Returns

Melbourne (The Uttam Hindu): Australia has announced its 15-member squad for the first Ashes Test, beginning on November 21 in Perth. Middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne makes a return to the team, while young opener Sam Constas has been dropped. Left-handed batter Jake Weatherald is the new face in the squad. With Pat Cummins unavailable due to injury, Steve Smith will lead the side. Meanwhile, Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Beau Webster are expected to fill the top six batting slots.

Labuschagne earned his recall after an impressive start to the Sheffield Shield season, while Constas, who partnered Usman Khawaja in Australia’s most recent Test series in the Caribbean, has been axed following a string of poor scores — 3, 5, 25, 0, 17, and 0. Both Labuschagne and Weatherald are now in contention to open alongside Khawaja against England.

Weatherald, 31, was the top run-scorer in last season’s Sheffield Shield and has maintained his excellent red-ball form this season as well. Fast bowlers Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett, and Sean Abbott have also been included in the squad and could feature in the absence of captain Cummins.

Chief selector George Bailey said, “This squad gives us good balance, and the 14 players selected will participate in the next round of the Sheffield Shield, allowing us to monitor form and fitness closely as we approach the first Test.” He also added that Cummins is expected to rejoin the team in Perth and might return later in the series.

Josh Inglis has been named as an additional batting option and as backup wicketkeeper for Alex Carey. Bailey confirmed that Inglis would play for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the WACA starting Tuesday, after completing the T20 series against India on Saturday.

Australia Squad (First Test Only):

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.