Former Australian pacer Michael Kasprowicz said on Wednesday that the first Ashes Test is a chance for a struggling Marnus Labuschagne to solidify his spot as a number three batter after a recent red-hot run in domestic cricket.
Opener Sam Konstas misses out, whereas Marnus Labuschagne earns a recall, and Jake Weatherald is also included in the squad as Australia announces their squad for the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series against England starting from November 21.
Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne, following his brilliant run in the ongoing One Day Cup for Queensland, believes it's something that needed to happen for him to get where he is and felt axing from the Aussies squad helped him rediscover his form.
Australia swashbuckler Travis Head will remain unavailable for the final two matches of the five-match series to prepare for the Ashes, scheduled to begin on November 21, while representing South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
"It's our worst team, obviously, since 2010, that's the mail anyway," Smith laughed, referring to the recent remarks made by former England pacer Stuart Broad
Star Australian batter Steve Smith has spoken about dealing with his mistakes, saying that he gets "pretty angry at himself" if he does something wrong.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the upcoming Ashes series will present the perfect opportunity for Test skipper Ben Stokes to leave his mark as leader, urging the all-rounder to "deliver" and bring the urn back to England.
"There's no secret that every sports league in the world has one significant thing in common, they have the best players playing in those leagues. And so the moment we take for granted that our Australian players will play in our leagues or play for their teams is at our peril," he added.
Former India cricketer and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu showered praise on Rishabh Pant, calling him "a phoenix that has risen from the ashes" for his remarkable comeback to international cricket after a life-threatening car accident.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri outlined the quality of Steve Smith that has always amazed him, and expects the captaincy for the first Ashes Test in Perth to bring the best out of him.