Uncapped opener Weatherald in Australia squad for first Ashes Test / Photo: Adrian DENNIS - AFP
Uncapped opener Weatherald in Australia squad for first Ashes Test
Uncapped opener Jake Weatherald was named Wednesday in Australia's squad for the first Ashes Test against England, with Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott included as back-up fast bowlers.
Should the 31-year-old Weatherald pad up against Ben Stokes's side, he will be the sixth opening partner for Usman Khawaja since David Warner retired early last year.
Previous experiments with Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne did not pan out.
While Weatherald was included in the 15-man squad, chief selector George Bailey refused to confirm whether he would make his debut in Perth on November 21.
"No, not confirmed in the XI," Bailey said.
"Obviously we've got 14 of our 15-man squad playing round four (of the Sheffield Shield).
"Still some information to gather out of that. Cameron Green, being one, returning to the bowling crease, that'd be good."
All-rounder Green has been playing as a batsman only since his return mid-year following back surgery 13 months ago.
So far, he has bowled just a handful of overs this season.
Should be able to bowl sufficient overs to support the attack, Green will likely drop to batting at six with Weatherald opening and the in-form Marnus Labuschagne coming in at his preferred number three slot.
If Green is still struggling, then Labuschagne would potentially open alongside Khawaja with Green at three and Beau Webster at six.
"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," added Bailey.
Steve Smith will captain the team in the absence of Pat Cummins, who has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies more than three months ago.
Cummins, who will travel with the squad to Perth, is tentatively targeting a return for the day-night second Test in Brisbane from December 4.
In his absence, the ever-reliable Scott Boland will spearhead the attack with fellow quicks 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.
Following Perth, the 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
P.MacNair--NG
