PERTH: Australia will hand baggy green caps to opening batter Jake Weatherald and pace bowler Brendan Doggett in the first Ashes Test against England on Friday, marking the first time since January 2019 that two players debut before a single Test. Steve Smith, standing in as captain for the injured Pat Cummins, confirmed the lineup in a press conference at Perth Stadium on Thursday.
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Weatherald will open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja, while Marnus Labuschagne returns to his preferred number three spot ahead of Smith and Travis Head. Doggett replaces the injured Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland fills in for Cummins in a pace attack also featuring veteran left-armer Mitchell Starc.
Smith highlighted the significance of the opportunities for the debutants, noting Weatherald’s recent form for Tasmania and Doggett’s consistent domestic performances. “Injuries happen in sport, particularly in cricket with fast bowlers,” he said. “Unfortunate for those out, but an exciting opportunity for Scotty and Brendan.”
The inclusion of Weatherald and Doggett coincides with Cameron Green’s return from a spinal injury, allowing the team to balance specialist batting and bowling. Weatherald, 26, will partner Khawaja as his sixth opening partner in 15 Tests since David Warner’s retirement, while Doggett, 31, becomes the first quick to debut since Boland in 2021. The selection also means Australia will field two indigenous players in a Test team for the first time.
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Australia’s playing XI for the Perth Test: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett.