Marnus Labuschagne Returns to Australia's Ashes Squad: Who Else Made the Cut?

Australia's Ashes Squad Announcement

Gold Coast: Marnus Labuschagne has been reinstated in Australia's squad for the upcoming Ashes series, as selectors announced a 15-member team for the first Test against England.

After missing the three-match series against the West Indies due to a dip in form, Labuschagne has regained his confidence with notable performances in first-class cricket.

Jake Weatherald, an opening batter, is in line to make his debut during the match scheduled from November 21-25 in Perth, having been selected over Matt Renshaw and Sam Konstas, depending on the choice of opening partner for Usman Khawaja.

Weatherald, aged 31, was the top scorer in last summer's Sheffield Shield, amassing 906 runs at an average of 50.33.

He also scored a century for Australia A in a series against Sri Lanka A earlier this year.

Steve Smith will captain the Australian team in the series opener, filling in for regular captain Pat Cummins, who is recovering from a lower back injury.

The pace attack is expected to feature Scott Boland alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, with uncapped players Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott also included as fast-bowling options.

All-rounders Beau Webster and Cameron Green have also made the squad.

The Australian players have been engaged in first-class matches with their respective states to gear up for the Ashes, or competing against India in a series of ODIs and T20s.

Selectors will closely monitor Green's fitness and his ability to bowl effectively during the upcoming round of domestic first-class matches.

Selector George Bailey mentioned, "We have 14 out of our 15-man squad participating in a round of the Sheffield Shield, and we need to gather more information, particularly regarding Cameron Green's return to bowling."

Bailey added that they hope to see Green bowl between 15 and 20 overs for Western Australia against Queensland in Perth to evaluate his recovery from side soreness.

"That’s nearly what you expect from your all-rounder," Bailey noted. "We still have 2.5 weeks until the first Test, so we will build up from there."

The England squad for the five-Test series will be captained by Ben Stokes.

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.