NEW DELHI: Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith on Thursday confirmed the playing XI for the Ashes opener, featuring 31-year-old pacer Brendan Doggett, who is set to make his Test debut in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, both sidelined as they recover from injuries.
With Scott Boland also named in the side, Doggett's selection will mark a historic moment, as the pair will become the first Indigenous duo to play together in a Test match for Australia. Prior to Doggett, only four Indigenous cricketers had represented Australia in the format - Faith Thomas, Jason Gillespie, Ash Gardner and Boland.
Ashes 2025-26: Australia confirm their XI for Perth Test, two debutants included
Doggett, a member of the Worimi tribe from eastern New South Wales, has claimed 190 first-class wickets at an impressive average of around 26.5.
Australia will also hand a debut to batter Jake Weatherald, who is set to open the innings alongside experienced campaigner Usman Khawaja.
Stand-in captain Steve Smith spoke highly of both Doggett and Weatherald, praising their form and readiness ahead of the Ashes opener.
"He is very skillful. I think he's improved a hell of a lot the last few years and I'm excited to see him go about his business," Smith said of Doggett as quoted by cricket.com.au.
"They were pretty tricky nets - fast, bouncy and a lot of seam - and he's got a lot of courage. He just goes in there, I don't think he faces any of the side-arms or anything, he wants to face bowlers the entire time and the guys were charging in, bowling fast. He took it on and he was getting in really good positions, and he goes about it a certain way," said Smith of Jake Weatherald.
Australia's XI for the first Ashes Test in Perth: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.
