New Faces for Australia as Ashes Battle Commences
The Australian cricket team has confirmed two debutants for the highly anticipated first Ashes Test against England, which begins on Friday at Perth Stadium. Batter Jake Weatherald will open the innings, while fast bowler Brendan Doggett joins the attack, marking the first time since January 2019 that Australia has introduced two new players in a single Test match.
Team Selection and Batting Order Shake-Up
Stand-in captain Steve Smith is set to officially announce the team at his pre-match press conference on Thursday. Doggett's inclusion became almost inevitable after senior bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out with a hamstring injury. The more significant selection decision involved the opening slot, where the team debated between handing Weatherald his first cap or promoting Marnus Labuschagne to the top of the order.
Ultimately, the selectors opted for the Northern Territory-raised Weatherald, who will become Usman Khawaja's sixth opening partner since the retirement of David Warner in January 2024. This decision means Weatherald's Tasmania teammate, Beau Webster, has been dropped from the side after featuring in seven Tests following his remarkable debut against India.
The return of Labuschagne, who was dropped for the Caribbean tour after a lean patch, is another major talking point. He will bat at number three, following his outstanding start to the domestic summer for Queensland. This pushes Cameron Green, who had been batting at three since his return from a serious back injury, back down to number six, the position where he began his Test career.
England's Response and Series Outlook
England have named a 12-man squad for the contest, selecting both of their express pace bowlers, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. This move appears designed to exploit the traditional pace and bounce offered by the Perth pitch. England captain Ben Stokes will also face the media on Thursday after Smith, setting the stage for what many are predicting could be the closest Ashes series in Australia for over four decades.
The confirmed Australia XI is: Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett.
