Australia have included uncapped Tasmania opening batter Jake Weatherald in their 15-man squad for the first Ashes Test in Perth later this month, with no place for Sam Konstas.
Marnus Labuschagne, who was dropped from the side during the West Indies tour earlier this year, is expected to return to the XI at Optus Stadium having already scored five centuries in domestic cricket for Queensland this season. Where he bats will be determined by Cameron Green’s ability to contribute as an allrounder.
Green, the only player under 30 in the squad, has bowled only four overs since undergoing spinal surgery 13 months ago. He will attempt to bowl 15 to 20 overs for Western Australia against Queensland in their Sheffield Shield fixture starting next week to prove his fitness.
As expected, captain and pace bowler Pat Cummins has not been included in the squad as he recovers from a back injury. Steve Smith will lead the team in his absence. The group also includes uncapped fast bowlers Sean Abbott, 33, and Brendan Doggett, 31, though they are expected to act as backups to Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.
Weatherald, 31, has enjoyed a prolific few years with Tasmania and Australia A to earn a first call up. “There’s been a good consistency in the way that he approaches his batting,” Australia’s chair of selectors George Bailey told journalists. “He’s in a really clear place. We don’t see any sort of shifting innings to innings from the way he goes about it.
“So that says to me that he’s someone who has a clear understanding of the way they want to play and the way they feel like they’ll get the best performances out of themselves. And by virtue of that, he just happens to score at four runs an over, and has some natural attacking strengths without sort of being cavalier with that.”
Bailey spoke with Konstas before the announcement to explain the decision to drop the opener after a difficult spell in the West Indies. “Every conversation with Sam is a joy,” he said. “He’s got a great outlook on life. He remains incredibly upbeat.
“The scrutiny on him is almost unprecedented on some levels. As complicated as we try and make cricket, really it’s about runs. I feel for Sammy. If he farts at the moment, it’s a headline. But we really like him. We like the skillset there and we’re confident that over the long run it will continue to build out.”
Sam Konstas made an immediate impression for Australia against India, but struggled in the West Indies (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Usman Khawaja is the only member of the squad who is not due to play in next week’s round of Sheffield Shield fixtures after picking up a minor adductor strain. He is not a doubt for the Test in Perth.
Green’s ability to play as an allrounder would most likely see him drop down into the middle-order, paving the way for Weatherald to make his Test debut and Labuschagne to bat at No 3. But if the 26-year-old is not able to bowl his overs for Western Australia next week, he would most likely bat at No 3 with Beau Webster fulfilling the allrounder role.
Bailey added that having Green able to bowl at full tilt would be “a nice piece of the puzzle”, but if his Test bowling comeback “ends up being another Test, that’s okay”. “There’s been a long build for Cam,” he said. “It’s been a slow and steady and very deliberate build up, so confident that that’ll continue.
“To rush a step at the last moment doesn’t make much sense. Your allrounder doesn’t need to be in a position to bowl 30 or 40 overs hopefully – certainly historically for us over the last little bit they haven’t. I think he’ll be really well placed.”
Australia squad for first Test: Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
The Ashes Test schedule
November 21-25, First Test, Perth (starts 02:30 GMT)
December 4-8, Second Test, Brisbane (day/night) (04:30 GMT)
December 17-21, Third Test, Adelaide (00:00 GMT)
December 26-30, Fourth Test, Melbourne (23:30 GMT, 25-29 Dec)
January 4-8, Fifth Test, Sydney (23:30 GMT, 3-7 Jan)