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Bailey defends age profile of Australia's Ashes squad
Khaleej Times
|November 06, 2025
Australia’s selectors chairman George Bailey defended sticking with the Test side’s veteran core for the Ashes on Wednesday following criticism from former captain Steve Waugh about the team’s ageing profile.
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Waugh said on Tuesday that Bailey needed to make tough calls to regenerate the side and had failed to do so in the past, putting Australia’s future at risk.
"He’s going to have to step up to the plate with the other selectors," Waugh had told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground. "The bowlers are in their 30s and some of the batsmen are getting on as well."
After announcing Australia’s 15-man Ashes squad on Wednesday, which includes only one player under 30 in all-rounder Cameron Green, Bailey dismissed Waugh’s comments, saying the squad was picked on performance.
"We're aware of the age profile of the team," Bailey told reporters on the Gold Coast.
"I’m interested when people have that view as to who they would like us to leave (out). Is that Nathan Lyon and Mitch Starc out, is that just because of their age?
"You've got to give due respect that the guys are performing very well and they have the right to be selected."
This story is from the November 06, 2025 edition of Khaleej Times.
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