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.

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

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