The Australian cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for the first Test match of the Ashes series 2025-26. The biggest news in the team is the return of Marnus Labuschagne, who was recently out of the squad due to injury.
Sports News: The Australian cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for the highly anticipated Ashes Series 2025-26 (The Ashes 2025-26) first Test match against England. This time, selectors have made several significant and interesting changes. Most importantly, Pat Cummins will miss the first Test due to injury, and Steve Smith will captain the team in his place. Additionally, the return of Marnus Labuschagne and the maiden selection of Jake Weatherald have been two major headlines for the team.
Smith Named Captain in Cummins' Absence
Australia's chief selector George Bailey announced the squad on Wednesday, stating that captain Pat Cummins is not yet fully fit. He said, "We are extremely excited about the start of the Test summer. The team has a good balance of young and experienced players. Under Smith's captaincy, the team will go into the first Test with full strength."
Steve Smith has captained Australia on several occasions before, leading the team to success. His strategic understanding and experience could prove crucial in a high-pressure series like the Ashes.
Marnus Labuschagne's Stellar Return
Reliable Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne is making a comeback to the team after a long time. For the past few months, he has been consistently scoring runs in domestic cricket. His excellent form in the Sheffield Shield tournament caught the selectors' attention. Labuschagne can play a crucial role in the top order. His technical batting against England has always been impressive, and his return will strengthen Australia's middle-order batting.
31-year-old Jake Weatherald has been included in the Test squad for the first time. He was the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded Sheffield Shield season. The left-handed opener has consistently performed with the red ball, proving himself worthy of selection. According to sources, Weatherald could be seen opening alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test. His aggressive batting could pose a challenge for England's bowlers.
On the other hand, young opener Sam Konstas has been dropped from the team due to poor form. He had played five Test matches but failed to score significant innings.
A Blend of Experience and Youthful Exuberance in the Squad
This new Australian team demonstrates an excellent balance of experience and youthful energy. The presence of veteran players like Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc strengthens the team. Meanwhile, young players such as Cameron Green, Beau Webster, and Jake Weatherald will bring new energy. Alex Carey will be the primary wicket-keeping option, while Josh Inglis has been included as a backup. According to the selectors, this team combination will prove highly balanced in home conditions.
Australia's 15-member Squad
Steve Smith (captain), 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 for Ashes 2025-26
Ben Stokes (captain), 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.
Full Schedule of the Ashes 2025-26 Series
| Test | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| First Test | Perth | 21-25 November 2025 |
| Second Test | Brisbane | 4-8 December 2025 |
| Third Test | Adelaide | 17-21 December 2025 |
| Fourth Test | Melbourne | 26-30 December 2025 |
| Fifth Test | Sydney | 4-8 January 2026 |
The first Test in Perth will prove crucial in setting the tone for the series. England will take to the field with their "Bazball" strategy this time, while Australia will rely on their home conditions and experienced bowlers.
