Head picked over Khawaja as Cummins announces Australian XI for first Ashes Test

Australia's new Test captain Pat Cummins has named his side to face England in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, Brisbane from December 8.

Middle-order batter Travis Head has been picked over Queensland's Usman Khawaja while Mitchell Starc is also in the side with Cummins ending the speculation of potential re-inclusion of Jhye Richardson.

"It was a tight one. Both really good options, (with) really strong form," said Cummins on the selection of Head.

"The experience from Uzzie is great and we are really lucky to have that but Trav has been playing a lot of us in the last couple of years and has churned out runs."

Meanwhile, England captain Joe Root will wait until the toss on Wednesday to name his final XI.

"We've got all the options on the table (but) we're not going to name a team just yet," Root said.

"We'll have to see the weather forecast and how that pitch changes over the next couple of days."

Australian XI for the first Test: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc