‘Baz Bawl’: Australian media stoke Ashes rivalry with welcome for England’s Stokes

Australian media gave Ben Stokes a scathing welcome to the country in the buildup to the Ashes. A picture of the England captain pushing a trolley laden with luggage at the airport was accompanied by the headline “Baz Bawl” on the front page of the West Australian newspaper.

“England’s Cocky Captain Complainer, still smarting from ‘crease-gate’ lands in Perth early thinking dopey “BazBall’ can take the Ashes,” read the subhead in reference to an incident in the last series when Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped. The article went on to criticise England’s tactics under Stokes and the head coach, Brendon McCullum, describing it as “carefree and careless thrash batting”.

Australia have named their squad for the first Test in Perth, which begins on 21 November. Jake Weatherald could make his debut, while Australia have also recalled Marnus Labuschagne. Opener Weatherald is one of three uncapped players in the squad along with the seamers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett. Tasmania’s Weatherald or Labuschagne will replace the dropped Sam Konstas, while the injured captain Pat Cummins misses out and there is no place in the group for all-rounder Mitch Marsh or Middlesbrough-born Matt Renshaw.

Konstas scored just 50 runs in six innings during the three-Test tour of the West Indies earlier this year to leave the Australia selectors looking for a new opening partner for Usman Khawaja. The 31-year-old Weatherald would appear set for that position, although Labuschagne could return after being dropped following the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, having had an impressive start to the Sheffield Shield season.

Steve Smith will skipper the side in Cummins’ absence, with Scott Boland likely to keep his place in a three-man seam attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Chief selector George Bailey said: “The squad gives us good balance and, with 14 of those chosen playing the next round of Sheffield Shield, we will continue to gather information as we move closer to the start of the first Test.”

Doubts over the fitness of Cameron Green mean the all-rounder may be unable to bowl in the first Test, having sent down only four overs so far during the Australian summer. That could mean Beau Webster retains his place at six, with Green remaining at number three. If Green is fit to bowl, Webster could find his place under threat from Labuschagne should Weatherald get the nod to open.