Usman Khawaja, who will be 39 during the series, remains a lock-in as one opener despite diminishing returns from a career that started in the last Test England won on Australian soil in 2011.

Few sporting contests carry the history, drama and aura of the Ashes. Born from a mock newspaper obituary in 1882 and symbolized by a tiny urn, the rivalry between Australia and England has shaped more than a century of test cricket.

Spinner Shoaib Bashir has been included over allrounder Will Jacks but is no certainty to play with Brydon Carse a chance to complete an all-seam attack along with Wood, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and captain Ben Stokes. Ollie Pope has kept Jacob Bethell at bay from the No.3 berth.

Pat Cummins remains on tack to return for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, but has conceded playing through the rest of the series unchanged could be difficult. Cummins has progressed to bowling off a three-quarter run up as he plots a meticulous return from a back injury that has sidelined the Test captain since July.

Australia captain Pat Cummins is ruled out of the first Ashes Test due to injury but shows positive signs of recovery. Australia to take on England in the first Test of Ashes 2025-26 on November 21.

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Kasprowicz is not concerned about the age profile of the current Test fast bowling attack and said there was enough quality in the Sheffield Shield to provide a successful transition beyond Mitchell Starc (35), Josh Hazlewood (34), Scott Boland (36) and injured skipper Pat Cummins (32).

The fast bowler has not played in a Test match since August 2024 and managed only eight overs in England's warm-up game against the Lions

Test legend Steve Waugh says the current fortunes of Sam Konstas remind him of his own difficult early years in Test cricket. Incumbent opener Konstas was today dumped from Australia's Test squad ahead of the first NRMA Insurance Ashes Test in Perth,

Australia squad: (First Test only): 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