Ashes 2025: Australian cricket squad revealed

Jake Weatherald has won a “knife-edge” selection race to be included as the opening batsman in Australia’s expanded Ashes squad to face England in Perth later this month.

Tasmania’s 31-year-old opener Weatherald has been an exceptionally aggressive senior player over the last few years.

He was included at the expense of Sam Konstas, who was dropped, and Matt Renshaw, who was favored by many experienced judges, including Steve Waugh.

Weatherald, who originally played for South Australia, will play for Perth if Cameron Green shows he can exceed what is expected of a versatile player. However, if Green fails to make it, Beau Webster is likely to retain his place and the recalled Marnus Labuschagne will start alongside Usman Khawaja.

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“We look forward to the team linking up and preparing in Perth, building on a busy domestic and white-ball schedule to start the Test summer,” said chairman of selection George Bailey.

“The squad gives us a good balance and with 14 of those selected playing in the next round of the Sheffield Shield, we will continue to gather information as we get closer to the start of the first Test.”

Australia’s Ashes squad: Steve Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Jake Weatherald, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett. Pat Cummins also goes to Perth

More to come