NEW DELHI: With the Ashes fever building, Australia will be without key pacers, including skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Former captain Ricky Ponting has revealed what he considers Australia’s best playing XI for the first Test in Perth, offering insights into selection challenges and potential debutants.

Top Order and Middle Order Plans

Ponting expects the top order to feature Jake Weatherald and Usman Khawaja, with Marnus Labuschagne at No.3.

“He’s done absolutely everything that's been asked of him over the last month, scoring hundreds at will, coming back into the side at No.3,” Ponting said.

Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Alex Carey are likely to round out the middle order.

Bowling Choices and Selection Dilemmas

On the bowling front, Ponting named Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc, and Brendan Doggett as the main pacers, with Nathan Lyon providing spin support.

“If you had asked me this a week ago, my thoughts might have been slightly different. Josh Hazlewood’s injury has made things change, so now Starc, Boland, and Doggett are likely to lead the attack,” he said.

Here's Ricky Ponting's Australia XI:

Ponting also flagged the selection dilemmas that Australia faces.

“Do they now think they might need some more bowling cover as far as the all-rounders are concerned? Do they now think they might need Beau Webster in that side as well? There are a lot of questions, and I am not really sure what the outcome will be,” he added.

Debutant Brendan Doggett could play a key role in a side missing its frontline pacers. Ponting’s assessment highlights the importance of balancing experience, attack, and all-round options for Australia in the series opener.