Last December, Sam Konstas captured the cricket world’s attention with a remarkable Test debut that seemed to promise a bright future. However, in a surprising turn of events, he has been dropped from Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test.

Jake Weatherald is now in contention to take over Konstas’s position as an opener, having been selected over Matt Renshaw for the series opener against England.

On Wednesday, the selectors announced a 15-man squad for the first Test, which kicks off in Perth on November 21. Steve Smith has been named as the stand-in captain for the team.

Just 20 years old, Konstas became a sensation in Australian cricket with his explosive debut during last year’s Boxing Day Test against India. He quickly amassed 50 runs from 52 balls, featuring four boundaries and two sixes, before finishing with a score of 60.

His aggressive approach, particularly against Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, captivated fans and took the Indian side by surprise. Yet, following his debut, the young New South Welshman struggled to maintain that level of performance.

Sam Konstas (pictured with cricket commentator Grace Hayden) has gone from Australian cricket’s penthouse to the outhouse after the naming of the squad for the first Ashes Test

The 20-year-old’s name was up in lights last December thanks to his swashbuckling half-century on debut against India (pictured)

But Konstas has struggled badly since then, with a disastrous tour of the West Indies in July (pictured) putting him on the path to being excluded from the Ashes squad 

He scored 23 and 22 in the final Test against India in Sydney and was subsequently left out of the playing XI during Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year.

A disastrous Test series against the West Indies followed in June, with Konstas scoring just 50 runs at an average of 8.33.

He has averaged just 20.33 in the Sheffield Shield this year. 

Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott have also been picked to play England in Perth, with the duo expected to act as reserves behind quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.

Beau Webster and Cameron Green have also both been named, allowing selectors to consider their options over the next fortnight.

Josh Inglis has also been picked in the group, but is expected to act as a back-up batter and wicketkeeper given his ability to cover several bases.

With the in-form Labuschagne all but certain to play in Perth, Weatherald, Green and Webster are realistically fighting over two spots.

If selectors want to play a specialist opener rather than asking Labuschagne to do the job, Weatherald will earn a Test debut at age 31.

With skipper Pat Cummins (left) out injured, paceman Scott Boland (right) will be one of Australia’s keys to victory over the old enemy in Perth

Steve Smith (pictured) will stand in as captain until Cummins returns to fitness

But if there were any concerns over Green’s ability to bowl big overs in Perth, it is likely selectors will opt for the security of having both him and Webster in the side.

Weatherald has made his case by being the leading run-scorer in the Shield last summer with 906 at an average of 50.33.

The 31-year-old then backed it up with a big century for Australia A against Sri Lanka A in Darwin during the winter, before a steady start to the summer.

His first call-up to a Test squad comes after he had to leave South Australia for Tasmania a little over two years ago in a bid to continue his first-class career.

Renshaw can count himself somewhat unlucky, after scoring a century to start the summer for Queensland, while also looking in good touch for Australia in ODIs.

Meanwhile both Abbott and Doggett’s call-ups are notable given there is every chance Australia may have to rotate their quicks on tight turnarounds later in the series.

Australia are hopeful Pat Cummins will return midway through the Ashes, but at age 31 and 33 Doggett and Abbott appear closer to a Test debut than ever before.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR FIRST ASHES TEST:

Steve Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.