Sam Konstas has been axed for the Ashes series opener, with the first Test squad officially announced by chief selector George Bailey on Wednesday.
An incumbent opening batter after regaining his position for a difficult series in the West Indies, Konstas has struggled to nail down his spot and has been largely unimpressive through the opening rounds of the Sheffield Shield season.
In his absence, Jake Weatherald has firmed for a Test debut to potentially partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the Australian order.
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The 31-year-old was picked ahead of Matt Renshaw, who received the public backing of Khawaja to open alongside him in the Ashes.
Weatherald, who sits sixth on the top Shield run scorers list this season with 248 runs at an average of 41.33 from his six innings, got the nod in a tight battle with Renshaw.
What likely played in the left-hander's favour is his strike rate at Shield level this season, which sits above 75 and he has been the most successful aggressive opener in the domestic scene over the last few years.
His selection means the hosts could move away from a left-hand/right-hand combination at the top of the order, at least for the first Test at Optus Stadium.
Marnus Labuschagne has also been brought back into the fold and it looks like he will take back his coveted No.3 position after a strong start to the Shield campaign.
The former world No.1 Test batter's inclusion places a question mark over Cameron Green, who will now either move back to the middle-order or miss out on the XI with fellow all-rounder Beau Webster also selected in the squad.
Green's spot in the team may depend on his bowling availability as he continues to manage injury concerns stemming from a stress fracture in his back.
The other option would be for Green to remain at three and Labuschagne to open, which would mean Weatherald misses out in Perth.
Elsewhere in the squad, the absence of Pat Cummins has opened up an extra spot for a pace bowler, with both Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott named.
Neither of those bowlers are expected to play in the first Test as the Aussies are set to roll out an attack of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon.
Green or Webster will almost certainly play the role of the fifth bowler.
"We are looking forward to the squad connecting and preparing in Perth leading on from a busy domestic and white ball schedule to kick off the Test summer," Bailey said.
"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."
Australia's 15-man squad for first Ashes Test
Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Sam Konstas has been axed for the Ashes series opener, with the first Test squad officially announced by chief selector George Bailey on Wednesday.
An incumbent opening batter after regaining his position for a difficult series in the West Indies, Konstas has struggled to nail down his spot and has been largely unimpressive through the opening rounds of the Sheffield Shield season.
In his absence, Jake Weatherald has firmed for a Test debut to potentially partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the Australian order.
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READ MORE: 'Brave' move that etched Melham into Cup folklore
READ MORE: Top flight coach collapses, dies during match
The 31-year-old was picked ahead of Matt Renshaw, who received the public backing of Khawaja to open alongside him in the Ashes.
Weatherald, who sits sixth on the top Shield run scorers list this season with 248 runs at an average of 41.33 from his six innings, got the nod in a tight battle with Renshaw.
What likely played in the left-hander's favour is his strike rate at Shield level this season, which sits above 75 and he has been the most successful aggressive opener in the domestic scene over the last few years.
His selection means the hosts could move away from a left-hand/right-hand combination at the top of the order, at least for the first Test at Optus Stadium.
Marnus Labuschagne has also been brought back into the fold and it looks like he will take back his coveted No.3 position after a strong start to the Shield campaign.
The former world No.1 Test batter's inclusion places a question mark over Cameron Green, who will now either move back to the middle-order or miss out on the XI with fellow all-rounder Beau Webster also selected in the squad.
Green's spot in the team may depend on his bowling availability as he continues to manage injury concerns stemming from a stress fracture in his back.
The other option would be for Green to remain at three and Labuschagne to open, which would mean Weatherald misses out in Perth.
Elsewhere in the squad, the absence of Pat Cummins has opened up an extra spot for a pace bowler, with both Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott named.
Neither of those bowlers are expected to play in the first Test as the Aussies are set to roll out an attack of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon.
Green or Webster will almost certainly play the role of the fifth bowler.
"We are looking forward to the squad connecting and preparing in Perth leading on from a busy domestic and white ball schedule to kick off the Test summer," Bailey said.
"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."
Australia's 15-man squad for first Ashes Test
Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
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