Labuschagne recalled to Australia squad for Ashes

Jake Weatherald has been named in Australia's 15-man squad for the first Ashes Test, to be played in Perth, while Marnus Labuschagne has been recalled to the Test setup. Alongside Weatherald, the hosts have named two other uncapped players in the squad - Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett.

Weatherald, 31, has been called up to the squad after being the standout performer in the Sheffield Shield last season where he amassed 906 runs in 18 innings for Tasmania at an average of 50.33. He is in contention to open with Usman Khawaja, especially with Sam Konstas being left out of the squad.

Australia's First Test squad: 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

The 20-year-old Konstas has been axed from the squad following his poor scores in the tour of West Indies. Konstas had managed to score only 50 runs in six innings in the Caribbean, which included two ducks. Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Marsh are the other two players who have missed selection for the first Test

As reported earlier, Steve Smith will lead the team in Perth after Pat Cummins failed to recover in time following his stress injury to his back in the Caribbean in July this year.

The rest of the batters include Travis Head and Khawaja, while Cameron Green and Beau Webster are the all-rounders. Alex Carey and Josh Inglis are the two wicketkeeping options - with the latter the only member of the squad to be still involved in the T20I series against India. Nathan Lyon is the lone spinner while the rest of the bowling attack bears a similar look, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland coming in to replace Pat Cummins in the lineup.

George Bailey, the chair of selectors, mentioned that the squad gives them good balance but they will look at forming a Playing XI as they move closer to the first Test. "The squad gives us good balance and, with 14 of those chosen playing the next round of Sheffield Shield (barring Inglis), we will continue to gather information as we move closer to the start of the first Test."

The first Test begins on November 21.