Jake Weatherald in contention for Test debut after being named in Australia's Ashes squad

"I think if you look at [Weatherald's] performance over 18, 24 months, it's been really solid, Bailey said. There's a method there that I think we like and is complimentary to those other players around him in the squad. He scores at a good rate, the way he goes about building his innings has been impressive. Weatherald averages almost 38 in first class cricket, but has scored three half centuries in his three Sheffield Shield matches this season."

"Marnus Labuschagne has also been recalled after he was left out of the tour of the West Indies earlier this year, and Bailey confirmed the Queenslander had the capability of opening. The selector said Labuschagne has made some adjustments and is in a good place. The 31-year-old has scored five centuries already this season. As soon as he was left out of that West Indies [tour] team, his first question is, well how many runs do you need for me to come back?', Bailey said."

"The decisions at the top of the order will be influenced by the fitness of Cameron Green, the all-rounder who can bat up and down the order. Bailey said he wanted to see 15 to 20 overs in the coming Shield match from the 26-year-old, who has battled side soreness this season. However, he didn't rule out selecting Green as a specialist batter again, after he was deployed as a non-bowling No 3"

Jake Weatherald has been named in Australia's Ashes squad and is the leading candidate to open with Usman Khawaja for the first Test in Perth, though final XI selection will await the end of the upcoming Sheffield Shield round. George Bailey praised Weatherald's recent 18–24 month form, scoring rate and method, noting an almost 38 first-class average and three half-centuries in three Shield matches this season. Marnus Labuschagne has been recalled, has made technical adjustments and has five centuries already this season. Cameron Green's fitness and ability to bowl will influence top-order choices; selectors want 15–20 Shield overs from him and may consider him as a specialist batter.

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