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With the Ashes 2025–26 set to begin on Friday in Perth, anticipation is reaching fever pitch as Australia and England prepare to lock horns in one of cricket’s most storied rivalries. The build-up to the first Test has been dominated by discussions around team combinations and tactical decisions—especially for Australia, who are fielding a slightly reshaped pace attack due to injuries.
Among the talking points is the selection of Brendan Doggett, who is set to make his Test debut. And now, former Australian fast-bowling great Brett Lee has weighed in on who he believes should take the new ball alongside Mitchell Starc.
Brett Lee on who should open the bowling for Australia
Lee, one of Australia’s most feared fast bowlers of the 2000s, has thrown his support behind Doggett taking the new ball on debut. His comments come after stand-in captain Steve Smith declined to clarify whether Doggett or Scott Boland would share the new ball duties with Starc in the opening Test. Lee believes that handing Doggett the ball from the start may actually help soothe his early nerves.
“Maybe that’s the best thing for his nerves. If they lose the toss tomorrow and have to bowl first, Steve Smith might go, ‘Alright mate, you haven’t got time to get the nerves. Take the brand new ball and shape a few away,'” Lee said during a Fox Cricket event.
Doggett, a natural outswing bowler, has traditionally opened the bowling for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield. While Boland has also filled the new-ball role for Victoria, he has largely excelled in Test cricket as a first-change bowler, with an astonishing return of 62 wickets at 16.53 across his 14 Tests.
According to Lee, giving Doggett responsibility from the outset could fast-track his transition into Test cricket. He asserted: “It’s not like he’s just been picked out of the blue. He’s been around the squad for a long time, trained with them and knows them well. He’s had two strong Sheffield Shield seasons back-to-back. He’s done the work and earned the opportunity.”
Impressive domestic record and high expectations from the potential debutant
Doggett’s elevation to the Test squad has been the result of consistent performances in the Sheffield Shield. A fast-medium bowler known for his ability to swing the ball away from right-handers, he has repeatedly troubled batters in domestic cricket and brings a skill set well-suited to the pace-friendly conditions expected in Perth. Lee believes the debutant has the temperament and ability to rise to the occasion. He also praised Scott Boland, noting the Victorian’s versatility and consistency.
“When you walk out there tomorrow at 10:20 am, it doesn’t matter how much work you’ve put in. That nervous energy needs to transform into performance. Take the opportunity and hopefully he gets a bag of wickets. The thing with Scott Boland is that he can bowl anywhere: I reckon he’d get the ball to seam off ice, he’s so good,” Lee joked, highlighting the luxury Australia have in their pace options.
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