Jake Weatherald could make his debut in the first Ashes Test, while Australia have recalled Marnus Labuschagne for the series opener in Perth.
Opening batsman Weatherald is one of three uncapped players included in the squad for the first Test starting on November 21, along with seamers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett.
The absent Sam Constas will be replaced by Tasmanian Wetherald or Labuschagne, but with captain Pat Cummins out injured, there is no room for all-rounder Mitch Marsh or Middlesbrough-born Matt Renshaw.
Constas scored just 50 runs in six innings during a three-Test tour of the West Indies earlier this year and was turned away by Australian selectors who are looking for a new opening partner for Usman Khawaja.
Wetherald, 31, is expected to take the position, while Labuschagne, who made an impressive start in the Sheffield Shield, was dropped after the World Test Championship final at Lord’s but could return.
Steve Smith will be captain of the team in Cummins’ absence, with Scott Boland likely to maintain his place in a three-man seam attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Jake Weatherald in contention to make Test debut for Australia in Ashes opener
Chief selector George Bailey said: “This squad gives us good balance and 14 of the players selected will feature in the next round of the Sheffield Shield, so we will continue to gather information as we get closer to the start of the first Test.”
Questions over Cameron Green’s fitness mean the all-rounder, who has bowled just four overs so far throughout Australia’s summer, may not be able to bowl in the first Test.
That means Beau Webster could stay in sixth place and Green could stay in third place. If Green is bowl-eligible, Webster could be under threat from Labuschagne if Weatherald is nominated to open.
Atherton: England look to take advantage of partnership with Australia
Following the squad announcement, Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton said Australia’s squad was “strong and experienced”, but added that Australia still had big decisions to make ahead of the series opener.
Former England captain Atherton said: “It was announced a week ago that Pat Cummins would miss the first Test and Steve Smith would take his place as captain.
“One open question is Cameron Green’s bowling and who will be the opening batsman, but those two things are linked.
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England coach Tim Southee believes the Australian cricket team has never had a bad team, but admits they are going through a difficult period.
“Australia will want Green to bowl and bat at six and Labuschagne to bat at three, and we don’t know if a debutant will feature in the opening game against established bowlers, such as Scott Borland coming in for Cummins.
“It’s going to be a very established team, but the only area England will look at with any uncertainty is their opening partnership since David Warner’s retirement.
“I think Usman Khawaja has had five opening partners in the last two years. If Wesselard plays as a debutant, it will be six.
“The opening position is an important position so I think England will look at that and see it as one area they could potentially exploit.”
“Australia is not as settled as they would like.”
“Normally they would have picked 12 or 13 players, but Australia picked 15, which shows they have a big decision to make,” Atherton continued.
“The reason the 2010-11 series still lingers is because they picked 17 players that year, which was more than England’s entire touring squad.
“There was some uncertainty then and there’s still some uncertainty now as far as the final big decision they have to make.
“They’re probably not as established as they would like.”
Australia’s first Ashes Test team: 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.
Ashes Series in Australia 2025-26
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First Test: Friday 21st November – Tuesday 25th November (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth Second Test (day/night): Thursday 4th December – Monday 8th December (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane Third Test: Wednesday 17th December – Sunday 21st December (12am) – Adelaide Oval Fourth Test: Thursday 25th December – Monday 29th December (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground Fifth Test: Sunday 4th January – Thursday 8th January (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
