Australia Squad for 1st Test of Ashes 2025-26: The Ashes series between Australia and England is scheduled to begin on November 21st. Australia has announced a 15-member squad for the first Test of this five-match series. Pat Cummins will not be captain in the first Test. Cummins has been ruled out due to injury. Steve Smith will lead the Australian team in the first Test against England.
Australia's explosive 20-year-old opener, Sam Constas, has been left out of the squad for the first Ashes Test. Constas has been struggling to score runs for some time, leading to his omission. This is the same Sam Constas who troubled India during the 2024 Boxing Day Test between India and Australia in Melbourne.
This was his Test debut. In his very first Test innings, Konstas scored a fifty. He scored 60 runs. He played some aggressive shots against Jasprit Bumrah, which brought him into the spotlight. However, Jake Weatherald has been included in the Australian squad. This is his maiden call. Jake has 13 centuries and over 5,000 runs in first-class cricket.
Marnus Labuschagne has returned to the team. Labuschagne, who was not part of the squad for the Test series against West Indies, has regained his place in the team after a strong start to the domestic season for Queensland. While Josh Inglis is also included in the 15-player squad as another batting option and as back-up to regular keeper Alex Carey.
Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott are named as reserve quicks. Doggett returns after withdrawing from the Caribbean tour with a hip injury, while Abbott retains his place following back-to-back squad appearances earlier this year. There is no spot for Michael Neser despite his excellent Shield start, taking 11 wickets in two matches on batting-friendly surfaces.
"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," chief selector George Bailey said.
"We're looking forward to the group connecting and preparing in Perth after a busy domestic and white-ball schedule to start the summer."
Australia's First Test Squad: 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.
England's Squad: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.
Australia has never faced England in a Test at the new Perth Stadium, though the side has won four of the five Tests held there since 2018.
Historically, England has struggled in Perth, securing just one victory in 14 attempts at the W.A.C.A. in 1978. England have not won a Test in Australia since 2011.
Ashes 2025-26 Series Schedule:
First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-25
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-8
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8.
