Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
David Boon has named his Australia XI for the Ashes, backing incumbents Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas despite a difficult tour of the West Indies. Boon’s XI does not include Marnus Labuschagne, and the former opener believes selectors should look to the future when assessing contenders from the Sheffield Shield.
David Boon’s Australia Ashes XI: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Sam Konstas, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Travis Head, 5. Cameron Green, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Pat Cummins (c), 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood
Boon thinks Australia won’t make too many changes personnel wise. However, he has called for some positional changes with Steve Smith and Travis Head both moving up a spot to accommodate both Cameron Green and Beau Webster in the middle order.
“I’ve got to be a bit careful here because if I go too hard one way, George (Bailey) won’t speak to me,” said Boon on SEN Tassie.
“I don’t think there will be that much change in the Perth team. The way it has been selected in the last six months or so, I don’t think there will be much change but there will be change after the Ashes.
“I’d stick with Usman and there’s a choice to make in the second opener. I’d like them to give Konstas a go, with Smith 3, Head 4, Green at 5, Webster at 6, Carey 7 then Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon.”
Despite Boon’s views on giving the openers a chance, he said the first few rounds of the 2025/26 Sheffield Shield will tell us more. The 107-Test veteran is hoping to see some new names, and pinpointed three in particular he will keep a close eye on.
“The second opening position may depend on the four Shield games prior to the Ashes. There are three names for me: [Jake] Weatherald and then two young talented players [Nathan] McSweeney and [Campbell] Kellaway from Victoria.
“The key is, those that may be in the mix, they have to play those four Shield games for maximum opportunity.”
Konstas, along with McSweeney and Kellaway, have been selected for Australia A’s two four-day games against India A in September. The Sheffield Shield will then get underway on October 4.
