GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Marnus Labuschagne is back in Australia's squad to start the Ashes series , with selectors including the veteran batter Wednesday in a 15-man group for the first cricket test against England.

Labuschagne missed Australia's three-test series win over the West Indies in the Caribbean in July after a lean run of form but has regained confidence with some big scores in first-class cricket. The 58-test veteran hasn't scored a test century since the 2023 Ashes in England.

Opening batter Jake Weatherald could make his debut in the Nov. 21-25 match in Perth after being selected ahead of Matt Renshaw and 20-year-old Sam Konstas, although that depends on who is chosen to open with Usman Khawaja.

The 31-year-old Weatherald was the leading scorer in the Sheffield Sh

See Full Page