Picking Australia's best playing XI for 1st Ashes 2025 Test ft. Josh Hazlewood

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the squad for the first Test against England ahead of the Ashes 2025-26, scheduled to begin in Perth on November 21. The selectors have picked Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald over Sam Konstas in the 15-member squad. Apart from Weatherald, the Aussies have also included two medium pacers - Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott, who are yet to make their Test debut.

Notably, regular skipper Pat Cummins missed out on a place due to a back injury. Steve Smith will lead the side in his absence. The Aussies have retained a strong squad featuring star pacers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland, alongside experienced spinner Nathan Lyon. Meanwhile, Cameron Green and Beau Webster will strengthen the middle order.

In a statement, Cricket Australia’s Chief Selector George Bailey said (via cricket.com.au):

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

In this article, we will pick Australia’s best playing XI for the Ashes opener in Perth.

Picking Australia's best playing XI for the 1st Ashes 2025 Test ft. Josh Hazlewood

Top order - Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, and Cameron Green

Seasoned veteran Usman Khawaja will continue to open for Australia in Tests. The 38-year-old has amassed 461 runs in seven Tests (13 innings) this year at an average of 38.41 with a best score of 232 against Sri Lanka. The southpaw, though, managed just 117 runs in six innings at an average of 19.50 during the three-match Test series in the West Indies. However, the selectors have trusted him to deliver in the Ashes.

Jake Weatherald is likely to make his Test debut against England in the Ashes opener. The left-handed batter has amassed 5269 runs in 76 First-Class matches at an average of 37.63, including 13 tons and 26 half-centuries. He recently scored three back-to-back half-centuries for Tasmania in the 2025/26 Sheffield Shield.

All-rounder Cameron Green is likely to retain his No. 3 spot following his impressive scores of 52, 46, and 42 in his last three outings during the three-match series in the West Indies. The medium pacer is equally handy with the ball. However, the 26-year-old has only bowled four overs (in Sheffield Shield) since undergoing radical spinal surgery last year.

Middle order - Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, and Alex Carey

Captain Steve Smith would be a default pick in the playing XI. The 36-year-old is coming on the back of a century for New South Wales against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. The right-hander would be keen to carry his good form in the Ashes.

Like Smith, Travis Head will also be looking to continue his purple patch with the bat, having amassed 224 runs in three Tests, including two half-centuries during the series in the West Indies.

The team management is likely to pick Beau Webster over Marnus Labuschagne as the two players fight for a No. 6 spot. Webster impressed with his all-round performance in the West Indies. The right-handed batter amassed 150 runs in six innings with the help of two fifties. With the ball, he bagged five wickets. Having said that, Labuschagne has made his case strong by scoring five centuries across formats for Queensland since September 2025. He also offers leg-spin.

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey will play at No. 7. The southpaw scored 187 runs in six innings during the West Indies tour.

Bowling unit - Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon

Australia’s highest wicket-takers in Tests among active players, Nathan Lyon (562 wickets) and Mitchell Starc (402) would be default picks in the playing XI. Josh Hazlewood, who is also on the verge of taking 300 Test wickets, will also feature in the main lineup. Notably, Starc and Hazlewood bagged 15 and 14 wickets, respectively, during the tour of the West Indies earlier this year. Nathan Lyon also scalped nine wickets during the same Test series.

Meanwhile, Scott Boland would be looking to deliver in skipper Pat Cummins’ absence. The 36-year-old picked up six wickets in the only Test he played in WI. Overall, he has 62 scalps in 14 Tests. He loves bowling against England, having scalped 20 wickets in five Tests.