Overview
- Australia confirmed Jake Weatherald to open and Brendan Doggett to debut in a side captained by Steve Smith, with Marnus Labuschagne returning to No 3.
- Pat Cummins (back) and Josh Hazlewood (hamstring) are out of the first Test, with Scott Boland joining Mitchell Starc in the pace attack and Cameron Green fit to play.
- Doggett’s inclusion alongside Boland marks the first time two players of Indigenous heritage feature together in an Australian men’s Test XI.
- England named a 12-man group including Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, with Shoaib Bashir the spin option as the final XI will be confirmed at the toss.
- Optus Stadium hosts its first Ashes Test from 21–25 November, with Nathan Lyon set for his 140th cap and needing two wickets to move past Glenn McGrath on the all-time list.