Ashes hopeful Jake Weatherald was dismissed cheaply for a second successive day, struggling to strengthen his case for an opening spot in Australia’s first Test against England. The uncapped opener made 30 in Tasmania’s second innings against South Australia after being out for 23 in the first innings on Monday.
The 31-year-old and Usman Khawaja are the only specialist openers in Australia’s squad for the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, starting November 21 (2.30am UK time). Marnus Labuschagne remains an option to partner Khawaja at the top of the order.
Labuschagne struck 50 for Queensland against Western Australia on Tuesday, adding to five hundreds across his opening eight innings of the domestic season in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. All of his centuries this term have come from the No 3 position, with England great Sir Ian Botham suggesting that is where he should play in The Ashes.
Steve Smith, who will captain Australia in the first Test while Pat Cummins recovers from a back injury, also posted a half-century for New South Wales against Victoria.
Australia squad for first Ashes Test
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.
The first Test takes place at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21-25 (2.30am UK and Ireland time).
With an eye to balance, Beau Webster’s five-wicket haul for Tasmania versus South Australia may have boosted his hopes of being selected as an all-rounder for the England series. Meanwhile, Cameron Green returned to bowling for Western Australia, taking one wicket from eight overs. Green batted at No 3 during the 3-0 sweep of the West Indies but could be shifted down to No 6 if Labuschagne is recalled at first drop and Weatherald opens with Khawaja — a change that would likely leave Webster out of the XI.
Webster struggled with the bat in Tasmania’s match, dismissed for 13 and eight.
Australia captain Pat Cummins is progressing with his recovery and aiming to be fit for the second Test, a day-night match at The Gabba in Brisbane starting December 4.
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26
All times UK and Ireland
First Test: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground