Mumbai, November 11: Australian cricketing legend Ian Healy has picked his XI for the first Ashes Test that begins on November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, choosing Jake Weatherald as opener alongside Usman Khawaja with Marnus Labuschagne to bat at No. 3. This change to the top orde moves Cameron Green down to No. 6, with assuming he is fit to bowl, which in turn makes Beau Webster the unfortunate 12th man. Although Green has only bowled four overs this season, he is expected to take on a substantial bowling workload in the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the WACA starting Tuesday. Ashes 2025–26: Marnus Labuschagne Reveals How ‘Slightly Different’ Approach Led to Australia National Cricket Team Call-Up.

If Green can demonstrate he’s prepared to serve as a versatile player, Healy was willing to overlook Webster, who has done nothing wrong so far in his international career, considering he has scored just 11, 6, and 13 from his three Shield appearances so far this season.

“Originally I had Labuschagne opening, not Weatherald, that was the change to my original XI. But if Green overcomes his body issues and bowls today against Queensland, then that could cover the bowling. Only recently I had Green at three with Webster in the team as well for bowling security. But Beau hasn’t convinced me that his form is anywhere near as good as it was,” Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.

While Weatherald failed to make a mark in Tasmania’s first innings against South Australia on Monday, contributing 23 runs in the team’s tally of 209, Healy appreciated the fact that he has gone past the 50-run mark thrice so far this season playing the red ball. Ashes 2025–26: Michael Vaughan Says He Would Have Picked Mitchell Marsh at the Top of the Order for Australia’s First Test Against England in Perth.

“Even though Weatherald didn’t make many yesterday (against South Australia), I don't mind him making 23 out of 209. When you lose a toss in Hobart and you see how green that wicket is, it can be dynamite to bat on a Shield wicket. He would have been working hard and this is the hardest cricket Jake Weatherald will ever play, waiting to see whether he's going to get selected in the XI. He didn't fail. He could have made none on that wicket, because plenty of them did,” Healy elaborated.

Ian Healy’s Australia XI for Perth Test: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood

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