Brendan Doggett, Jake Weatherald set to debut as Australia announces playing XI for the first Ashes Test

Australia have announced their playing XI for the first Ashes Test starting November 21 at Perth’s Optus Stadium, featuring maiden Test appearances for pacer Brendan Doggett and batter Jake Weatherald. Stand-in captain Steve Smith confirmed the dual debuts, marking the first time multiple players have debuted in an Ashes Test for Australia since the 2010-11 Sydney Test. Doggett, 31, takes the place of injured Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, while Weatherald becomes Usman Khawaja’s seventh opening partner since Khawaja’s return in 2022.

Historic debuts of Brendan Doggett, Jake Weatherald and team composition

Doggett’s inclusion is significant as he joins Scott Boland in the bowling attack, making Australia the first men’s Test side to field two Indigenous players simultaneously. Doggett, a South Australia quick, has shown considerable improvement over recent years and returns from a hamstring injury with strong form. Weatherald, from Tasmania, earned the opening slot due to his recent success as the leading Sheffield Shield run-scorer. His role as an opener alongside Usman Khawaja is crucial following David Warner’s retirement from red-ball cricket earlier in 2024.

Smith praised Marnus Labuschagne, reinstated at his favoured No. 3 batting position, highlighting Labuschagne’s vital role in strengthening Australia’s batting lineup. Smith acknowledged the difficult decision to omit all-rounder Beau Webster, who has impressed since his debut against India but was edged out due to Cameron Green’s return to bowling fitness, which reinforced Australia’s seam-bowling options amidst injury setbacks to Cummins and Hazlewood.

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Smith emphasized the tough nature of fast-bowling injuries and expressed confidence in the new players stepping up. “Brendan’s skill set and performance on previous tours have put him in a good position, and I’m excited to see how he performs at this level,” Smith noted. On Weatherald, Smith underlined the optimism around the fresh opening partnership and its potential impact.

Australian XI for the Ashes opener

Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, and Scott Boland.

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