Australia has unveiled its 15-member squad for the opening Ashes Test against England in Perth, with Steve Smith stepping in as captain following Pat Cummins’ injury. Travis Head has been appointed as vice-captain. The squad, announced by chairman of selectors George Bailey, aims for a balanced composition, with 14 players participating in the upcoming Sheffield Shield matches to fine-tune their form. Three newcomers—batsman Jake Weatherald and bowlers Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott—are set to make their Test debuts, with Weatherald vying for an opening spot alongside Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja. All-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster, along with wicketkeeper Alex Carey and reserve Josh Inglis, complete the lineup. The bowling attack features Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland. Bailey expressed optimism about Cummins’ potential return later in the series. Weatherald’s consistent performance over the past 18 months earned him a spot, with Bailey praising his complementary style. The final XI remains undecided, with Bailey emphasizing that the selection will be finalized closer to the match. Sam Konstas, who opened in the West Indies series, was omitted due to lackluster domestic form. The first Test will be held at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21 to 25, followed by matches in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. England, led by Ben Stokes, announced their 16-man squad in September, featuring Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley as openers.