Marnus Labuschagne, who was dropped from the Test side during the tour of West Indies in June-July, has since hit three centuries in one-dayers and a couple more in Sheffield Shield for Queensland.
Mitchell Starc has been cleared to play in the Indian Premier League and is expected to join Delhi Capitals for their match against Rajasthan Royals on May 1.
The stand-in Australia captain was asked about Panesar's recent comments that England should shame Smith over his involvement in "Sandpapergate" to get a psychological edge in the series, which starts in Perth on Friday.
The Perth Stadium curator has promised the wicket will be green, fast and bouncy but Stokes offered no thoughts on whether England would attack with four quicks or pick the specialist spinner, Shoaib Bashir, in their 11.
Surrey seamer Matthew Fisher has been added to the squad and will link up with the group this week, having been in Australia with the England Lions.
In his absence, Ishan Kishan has been leading SRH, who are currently placed fourth on the table with two wins from five matches.
'That so many have reached such an advanced stage of their careers without obvious replacements is certainly a reflection of their quality, but will be a matter of concern in the case of more injuries during the series.'
The contest between England's dialled-down "Bazball" approach and Australia's more methodical batting could determine who prevails in the Ashes series beginning in Perth on Friday.
Australia's white-ball captain Pat Cummins will miss the opening matches of IPL 2026 due to a back injury, forcing Sunrisers Hyderabad to appoint a temporary leader. India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will take charge in his absence, with Abhishek Sharma named vice-captain.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins has returned to Australia for a final scan on his injured back to gain clearance for the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is expected to rejoin the squad on April 17 if cleared.
'It is the biggest stage and it is the brightest lights. It is a series that could define teams, the people and players within it.'
The Perth Stadium pitch that saw Australia complete a thumping eight-wicket Ashes win inside two days over England has earned the ICC's (ICC) highest rating.
Kevin Pietersen has encouraged England batter Jacob Bethell to remain in India and continue his IPL journey, countering Alastair Cook's suggestion that he should return to county cricket.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Pune district, Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured a fast-tracked trial and pushed for the death penalty for the accused, amid public outrage and protests.
McDonald also said the selectors would consider a Test recall for Mitch Marsh, even if Australia's white-ball captain said last week he would be watching the Ashes series beer in hand.
Trescothick, who played in three Ashes campaigns including a triumphant 2005 series on home soil, said England's batters were also looking to be smarter on the pitch.
Aditya Kripalani's Main Actor Nahin Hoon, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Chitrangada Satarupa, turns 'acting lessons' into an emotional battlefield of loneliness, ego and vulnerability.
England did not have their full squad in Perth until last Sunday and will play one internal match before the first Ashes Test on November 21.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 1st Ashes Test played in Perth on Friday.
A 37-year-old self-styled godman was arrested in Mumbai for allegedly cheating several people by claiming to possess divine powers and performing 'aghori' rituals.
'My body feels great right now, I am very confident of getting through all five (Tests) without any dramas.'
England 'quietly confident' heading into Ashes series, says Wood
'A couple of weeks ago, did he think he was a chance (to play in Perth)? Potentially not, he was a little bit sore. Then you flip it forward two weeks and there's a lot more positivity. We've still got a little bit to go.'
Captain Ben Stokes brushed off concerns about England's Ashes preparations on Wednesday, saying there was no way the squad could prepare in the same way touring teams of the past had, given the demands of the modern game.
I wonder if I can rest assured -- before the election ink on my finger fades -- that my home state is at the threshold of a better future, wonders Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).
Ravichandran Ashwin questions Hardik Pandya's toss call and tactics as Mumbai Indians slump continues in IPL 2026 after defeat to Chennai Super Kings.
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad said the second Ashes Test starting Thursday next week will be a lottery and the toss is a key factor in Brisbane with the pink ball.
An Ashes tour that began with high hopes of taking home the urn has been reduced to a desperate effort to salvage some last vestiges of dignity for England.
Courts cannot be the only hope for those fighting hate speech. Countering its effects on the ground takes more effort. With our political parties unwilling to put in that amount of effort, it's left to citizens to do so, points out Jyoti Punwani.
Australia paceman Mitchell Starc has warned against flattening surfaces to maximise five-day revenue as England's aggressive "Bazball" approach looms.
'(I was) getting too deep into my technique and trying to be too perfect instead of just playing with what I've got...'
'We know we're behind the game again, in the situation we currently stand.'
Riteish Deshmukh's Shivaji may not be a flawless portrayal, but still remains engaging throughout, applauds Mayur Sanap.
'I'm worried. We're going to wander in and have a little game with the 'A' team. (It will be) 'Alright mate, how are you? Good on ya' and we're going to go and perform?'
Cummins has been sidelined with a lumbar stress injury since Australia swept West Indies in the Caribbean in July.
Australia opener Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test against in England in Brisbane later this week by a back problem.
'I was playing country cricket and working as a carpenter, and that was the dream for me.'
Cummins, who was previously optimistic of taking part in a significant chunk of the series, appears to have no chance of playing the series opener in Perth from November 21 and could even miss all five Tests, leaving superstar batter Steve Smith as his stand-in captain.
England pacer Mark Wood feels Australia will start as favourites in the upcoming Ashes series, but insists that there is a "quiet confidence" within the English camp about doing well in the marquee contest, starting later this month.
England on Tuesday named a 16-man squad for the Ashes series starting in Australia in November with Ben Stokes, who is currently nursing a shoulder injury, set to return to lead the side.
