Weatherald Stumbles Again; Labuschagne Hits Fifty

Jake Weatherald’s hopes of forcing his way into Australia’s opening berth suffered another setback as he was dismissed cheaply for the second day running. The uncapped opener made 30 in Tasmania’s second innings against South Australia after scoring 23 in the first innings on Monday, leaving him under pressure to strengthen his case for the first Test at Optus Stadium.

Weatherald and Usman Khawaja remain the only specialist openers in Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test, which starts at Optus Stadium on November 21. Marnus Labuschagne is still a realistic option to partner Khawaja at the top if selectors prefer to move him from No 3.

Labuschagne hit 50 for Queensland against Western Australia on Tuesday, adding to an impressive run that includes 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, and former England great Sir Ian Botham has argued Labuschagne should retain that spot for The Ashes.

Steve Smith, who will captain Australia in the first Test while Pat Cummins recovers from a back issue, 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.

Beau Webster’s five-wicket haul for Tasmania v South Australia may have bolstered his chances of selection as an all-rounder for the England series. Cameron Green returned to bowling for Western Australia, taking one wicket from eight overs. Green batted at No 3 during Australia’s 3-0 sweep of the West Indies but could be moved down to No 6 if Labuschagne is recalled to first drop and Weatherald opens with Khawaja—a reshuffle that would likely leave Webster out. Webster struggled with the bat in that match, being dismissed for 13 and 8.

Captain Pat Cummins is progressing with his recovery and is aiming to be fit for the second Test, the day-night match at The Gabba 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