Sam Konstas dropped and Marnus Labuschagne recalled as Australia announce squad for first Ashes Test against England in Perth
By Tom Masters
Published 05/11/2025 at 09:24 GMT
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Australia have announced their squad for the first Ashes Test in Perth and have dropped opener Sam Konstas. The 20-year-old opened the batting in each of Australia's last three Test matches against the West Indies, but struggled for runs. He makes way for uncapped Jake Weatherald and the in-form Marnus Labuschagne, while Steve Smith is handed the captaincy in the absence of Pat Cummins.
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Australia have dropped opener Sam Konstas and handed Marnus Labuschagne a recall as they announced the squad for the first Ashes Test.
They take on England in Perth from November 21, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Chief selector George Bailey confirmed the squad on Wednesday, with the most eye-catching inclusion being that of opening batter Jake Weatherald.
The 31-year-old is one of three uncapped players included in the 15-player squad, alongside pace bowlers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett.
Weatherald has impressed in the past two seasons of domestic cricket and was the top run-scorer in last year’s Sheffield Shield before picking up where he left off this season.
He may well be in line for a Test debut alongside Usman Khawaja at the top of the Australia order, with 20-year-old Konstas - who opened in the previous three Test matches in the West Indies - overlooked.
Another option for Bailey and his team of selectors is for Labuschagne to open with Khawaja, after his incredible run of form in domestic cricket earned him a recall.
The 31-year-old has scored five centuries already this summer for Queensland in both white and red ball cricket and seems a shoo-in to be included in the side in some capacity, whether opening or at his preferred No. 3.
Steve Smith will captain the side in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is nursing a stress fracture in his back and will miss at least the first Test at Optus Stadium.
Travis Head takes up vice captaincy, while Scott Boland is expected to join Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc as the frontline seamers.
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Speaking on selection for the highly-anticipated Ashes opener, Bailey said: "We are looking forward to the squad connecting and preparing in Perth, leading on from a busy domestic and white-ball schedule to kick off the Test summer.
"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."
While Konstas was not included in the squad for the opener, Bailey did not rule out a recall later in the series should he return to form with New South Wales.
"I feel for Sammy. I feel like at the moment if he farts, it's a headline," Bailey said.
"We really like him... we like the skill set there, [we're] confident that over the long run it'll continue to build out.
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Konstas ramps Bumrah for three boundaries in one over
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"It's not going to be linear – no one's passage through their career is linear, but the message is just to keep it simple, and score runs and bat for as long and as helpful a way as you can for New South Wales."
The Ashes opens on November 21 at Optus Stadium, before moving to the Gabba in Brisbane on December 4.
Proceedings then head to Adelaide on December 17, before the iconic Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the fifth and final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground starting on January 4.
You can watch every ball live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Australia's First Test squad:Â 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
Watch every ball of The Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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