Perth, Nov 20 (UNI) Stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith has confirmed Australia’s playing XI for the opening Ashes Test against England in Perth, unveiling two debutants for the ICC World Test Championship clash.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) website, the Aussies will unveil two debutants for the eagerly-awaited ICC World Test Championship contest, with opener Jake Weatherald and pacer Brendan Doggett both named in the XI as predicted by Australian great Ricky Ponting on The ICC Review earlier this week.
The changes mean all-rounder Beau Webster narrowly misses out despite recent strong performances. Marnus Labuschagne returns to the top order at No. 3 after being omitted in previous Test outings, while Cameron Green also retains his place in the top six.
It is just the first time since 2019 that Australia have named two debutants in the same Test side, and you have to go way back to 2011 to find the last Ashes Test the Aussies did so.
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.
