Australia names Weatherald in Ashes Test squad, calls selection “impressive” – SUCH TV

Chief selector George Bailey praised uncapped opener Jake Weatherald as “impressive” after the 31-year-old was named in Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test. Bailey highlighted Weatherald’s attributes, saying he possesses all the qualities needed for the role.

Marnus Labuschagne was recalled to the squad, while young opener Sam Konstas was dropped from the 15-man roster. Steve Smith will captain the side in Pat Cummins’s absence due to injury.

If selected to face Ben Stokes’s England in Perth on November 21, Weatherald would become Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner’s early retirement last year.

Previous experiments with Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Travis Head, Labuschagne, and Konstas had not yielded long-term success.

Bailey did not confirm whether Weatherald would make his debut in the XI. “No, not confirmed in the XI,” he said.

“We still have 14 of our 15-man squad playing round four of the Sheffield Shield, so there’s more information to gather. Cameron Green returning to the bowling crease will also influence selections.”

All-rounder Green has been batting only since returning mid-year following back surgery 13 months ago, having bowled just a handful of overs this season.

If he proves fit to handle sufficient bowling workload, Green would likely bat at six, allowing Weatherald to open with Khawaja.

In that case, Labuschagne would return to his preferred number three position, after scoring five centuries in eight innings this season.

If Green is still struggling with his bowling, Labuschagne could open alongside Khawaja, with Green at three and Beau Webster retaining his spot at six.

Renshaw left out

Tasmanian left-hander Weatherald has been a top performing opener in domestic ranks over the past few years.

He put himself on the Ashes radar by clobbering 183 for Australia A during a red-ball series against Sri Lanka A in Darwin this year, with his form continuing in the Sheffield Shield.

“I think if you look at his performance over 18 to 24 months it’s been really solid and then there’s a method there that I think we like and is complementary to those other players around him in the squad,” Bailey said.

“He scores at a good rate. The way he goes about building his innings, it’s been impressive.”

His inclusion meant disappointment for Matt Renshaw, who had been tipped to get the nod as Konstas has struggled for form.

Smith takes charge because Cummins, who will travel with the squad to Perth, has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies more than three months ago.

The day-night second Test in Brisbane from December 4 is a tentative target for Cummins to return.

The ever-reliable Scott Boland will replace Cummins in the seam attack alongside quick bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Nathan Lyon provides the spin option in his 140th Test, where he can surpass Glenn McGrath to become the sixth-highest wicket-taker in history by claiming two more victims.

Uncapped Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott were included as the back-up fast bowlers and Josh Inglis will provide cover for wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Following Perth, the five-Test series moves to Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

England drew 2-2 on home turf in the most recent Ashes series in 2023, but have not won in Australia since 2010-2011.

Australia squad:

Steve Smith (capt), 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