Ashes 2025-26: Predicted Australia playing 11 for the AUS vs ENG 1st Test
Ashes is definitely the topmost priority for both the arch-rivals, Australia and England, as both these teams take a lot of pride in claiming the prestigious 'Urn'. Australia are all set to host England in a high-stakes five-match Test series with the AUS vs ENG Ashes 1st Test set to begin from November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. With regular captain Pat Cummins already ruled out from the opener, Steve Smith will be the Australia captain in the first Test against England. The Aussie team management will have to make a few important calls before they finalise the Australia playing XI for the Ashes opener in Perth.
Ashes 2025-26: Who will replace Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the Australia playing XI?
After David Warner's retirement, Australia have tried too many batters as Usman Khawaja's opening partner in the longer format of the game. The likes of Marcus Harris, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Konstas have opened the batting for Australia in the recent while, however, none of these possess a definite record at the top of the order. Thus, it is very much likely that left-handed batter Jake Weatherald will open the batting alongside Khawaja during the Australia vs England 1st Test starting from Friday.
After some amazing performances in the domestic circuit, Marnus Labuschagne is expected to return at his usual No. 3 slot in the Australia playing XI for the entire Ashes 2025-26 series. The trio of Labuschagne, skipper Steve Smith and Travis Head are the three mainstay batters in this Australian line-up while Khawaja will also play a crucial role throughtout the AUS vs ENG five-match Test series. It will be interesting to see the batting position for all-rounder Cameron Green as the Australian think-tank have been a lot flexible with the same.
In a very short Test career, Beau Webster has been really impressive especially as a batter having notched up 381 runs from just 12 innings at an average of 34.64 that includes as many as four half-centuries. He will definitely be part of the Australia playing 11 in the Perth Test against England. Left-handed batter Alex Carey will be the first-choice wicket-keeper in the national side.
On the other hand, in the absence of skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, senior left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc will lead the Aussie fast bowling attack alongside Scott Boland. Australia are very much likely to handover a debut Test cap to right-arm pacer Brendan Doggett who has an impressive first-class record having taken a total of 190 wickets from 50 matches at an average of 26.46.
Australia are expected to play the trio of Starc, Boland and Doggett in the playing XI for the opening Test in Perth as the conditions are likely to assist the fast bowlers to a great extent. Despite Green and Webster contributing immensely with the ball, Australia cannot be too much reliant on them especially with a green top pitch expected in Perth. Therefore, the Aussie team management will be inclined to accomodate Brendan Doggett and include one of Green or Webster in the side.
Australia playing 11
Usman Khawaja
Jake Weatherald
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith (C)
Travis Head
Cameron Green
Alex Carey
Beau Webster
Mitchell Starc
Nathan Lyon
Scott Boland
