Ashes 2025-26: Australia announce playing XI for Perth Test, 2 debutants confirmed & in-form all-rounder dropped

On the eve of the Ashes 2025-26 opener, Australia have announced their playing eleven. In the absence of an injured Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Brendan Doggett will make his debut at Perth Stadium on November 21. Usman Khawaja will have sixth opening partner since David Warner’s retirement as Jake Weatherald will get his baggy green.

The top run-scorer in the ongoing Sheffield Shield, Marnus Labuschagne is back to his original batting position, no.3. As a result Cameron Green, will bat down the order, preferably at no.6.

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"Marnus, when he's batting at his best at number three, he makes us a very good cricket side," stand-in captain Smith said at his pre-match press conference on November 19.

"We couldn't really leave him out after he came back and did exactly what was told of him.

"The way he's batted in Shield and one-day cricket for Queensland in the last couple of weeks has been amazing, so when he's batting well, he's tough to leave out and hopefully he can bring that to the Test arena now."

With Green in the side, Beau Webster has been dropped despite a fifer in the previous Sheffield Shield appearance.

"For Beau, he's the one that misses out unfortunately. He came into international cricket and lit it up immediately – it's a really tough one on him," Smith said.

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Australia's pace attack is relatively inexperienced but Smith is excited to see how Doggett bowls in Perth.

"Injuries happen in sport, particularly in cricket with fast bowlers, they put a lot of stress through their bodies," Smith on unfortunate injuries to Cummins and Hazlewood," the 36-year-old said.

"Unfortunate that those two are out. But an exciting opportunity for Scotty (Boland) and for Brendan Doggett to make his debut.

"Brendan's been on a few tours with Australia. He is very skilful. I think he's improved a hell of a lot the last few years and I'm excited to see him go about his business."

Australia’s playing XI for Perth Test:

Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.

England’s 12-man squad for Perth Test -

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir.