The opening batter, Jake Weatherald and pacer Brendan Doggett will be making their test debut as CA announced Australia Playing 11 for the opening game in The Ashes 2025 starting at Perth.

This will be the first Ashes test since 2011, when two debutants will feature in the Australia playing 11. Jake Weatherald will be opening alongside Usman Khawaja, while Brendan Doggett will be joining the leading attack.

Marnus Labuschagne, who was not picked for the West Indies tour, has been named in the playing 11 along with Cameron Green.

Beau Webster, who played against India in the previous summer, was omitted from the playing XI.

“Marnus, when he’s batting at his best at number three, he makes us a very good cricket side,” stand-in captain Steve Smith said at the pre-match press conference on Thursday. “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,” said Smith.

Steve Smith will lead the side in the opening test in the absence of Pat Cummins. Australia will be missing the services of Josh Hazlewood, who suffered a hamstring injury while playing a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria.

Mitchell Starc confirmed the inclusion of Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser in the reserve reflected the depth in Australia’s fast bowling.

“Sadly, injuries in fast bowling happen. It’s good to see the depth in the squad. We know what Scotty can do, ‘Doggy’ (Doggett) is coming off a hot streak, and ‘Ness’ (reserve quick Michael Neser) has been around for a while now.”

“I think we’re all pretty clear on what our roles are. Obviously, I’ve got a little bit more experience there (but) Scotty’s been around for a fair while now, so it’s not like I’m telling him what to do,” the left-arm pacer said.

The first match of the series will be played on November 21 and 25 at Optus Stadium.

Australia Playing 11: Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland