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Australia grapples with injuries and selection ahead of first Ashes Test
Australia's preparations for the first Ashes Test at Perth's Optus Stadium on **Friday, 21 November 2025** have been disrupted by injuries to captain **Pat Cummins** and pace spearhead **Josh Hazlewood**, raising questions about team cohesion and strategy. The losses compound an ongoing struggle to solidify the batting order, particularly the opening partnership, since **David Warner's** retirement early last year.
Injury woes and the age debate
The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood-both sidelined by fitness concerns-has intensified scrutiny of Australia's selection process. Former fast bowler **Glenn McGrath**, speaking to the BBC, dismissed concerns about the team's average age, noting that experience often trumps youth in high-stakes series. "We had only **Michael Clarke** under 30 in the 2006-07 Ashes and still won 5-0," he recalled. "Age isn't the issue-performance is."
McGrath questioned modern injury management protocols, suggesting that routine scans and cautionary rest may now sideline players who would have previously competed through minor niggles. "If **Jason Gillespie** had scans back in our day, he'd never have played," he quipped, referencing his former teammate's chronic back issues.
Batting order shuffles and debut hopes
With five different opening partners trialed alongside **Usman Khawaja** in 18 months, Australia appears poised to end the experimentation by handing **Jake Weatherald** his Test debut. The move would stabilize the top order, allowing **Marnus Labuschagne** to remain at No. 3 and **Cameron Green** to slot into the all-rounder's role at No. 6-edging out **Beau Webster**, despite his solid contributions.
McGrath emphasized the logic of like-for-like replacements: "You wouldn't replace a fast bowler with a wicketkeeper. If you lose an opener, pick an opener."
England's opportunity-and challenges
England enters the series buoyed by Australia's misfortunes, with **Ben Stokes'** aggressive "Bazball" approach facing its sternest test on foreign soil. Yet McGrath warned that Perth's pace and bounce-unlike anything in England-could expose touring batters prone to misjudging lengths. "The **Kookaburra ball** is bigger, with a smaller seam," he noted. "It offers far less swing than the **Dukes**."
While England's confidence surged after their 2023 home Ashes, McGrath dismissed claims this is Australia's "weakest" team in 15 years. "They've lost 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0 in the last three series here," he said. "Even a 3-0 win wouldn't match that dominance."
Key factors for the series
Pitch adaptation: England must adjust to Australia's faster, bouncier wickets, where short bowling often backfires. "You've got to find the right length," McGrath advised.
Pressure as motivation: McGrath criticized England's attempt to "rid players of pressure," arguing elite athletes thrive under expectations. "The bigger the stage, the better they perform," he said.
Cummins and Hazlewood's return: Their potential comeback for the **second Test in Brisbane** could drastically alter the series' momentum. Historically, Australia hasn't lost a home Test without both since 2012.
"If England lose in Perth, they could be in for a very long series."
Glenn McGrath, former Australia fast bowler
Series schedule
The **2025-26 Ashes** runs from **21 November 2025 to 7 January 2026**, with live coverage across **BBC iPlayer, Radio 5 Sports Extra, and the BBC Sport app**, including ball-by-ball commentary and analysis.
