Doggett 'Definitely Ready' if Ashes Call Comes, Says SA Coach Ryan Harris
As Australia's pace stocks face growing uncertainty ahead of the upcoming Ashes series, South Australia fast bowler Brendan Doggett has emerged as a reliable backup, with coach Ryan Harris declaring him "definitely ready" to step into the Test side if needed.
Doggett, who was part of Australia’s Test setup last season and a reserve for the World Test Championship final against South Africa, is back to full fitness following a hip injury that ruled him out of a planned tour to the West Indies. With Pat Cummins managing a back injury and Lance Morris sidelined for 12 months after back surgery, Doggett is potentially just one injury away from a Baggy Green debut.
“He’s had a really good winter,” Harris told ESPNcricinfo. “We didn’t take him to Darwin for our pre-season camp to let him get himself right. From what I’ve seen in training, he’s bowling fast, swinging the ball, and is ready to go.”
In the Form of His Life
Doggett, 30, has hit career-best form over the past two domestic seasons. He took 44 wickets at 20.56 last summer, capped off by a stunning 11-wicket match haul in the Sheffield Shield final, helping South Australia clinch the title. In 2023-24, he collected 32 wickets at 21.90.
His elevation to the Test squad last season came after an eye-catching 6 for 15 against India A in Mackay.
“He’s in the prime of his career now,” Harris said. “He knows how to control his pace and when to ramp it up. If Brendan gets a call, I have absolute confidence he can do a great job for Australia.”
Doggett is expected to start South Australia's Sheffield Shield campaign, with selectors and coaches planning to carefully manage his workload in coordination with Cricket Australia.
Competition Heats Up Amid Injury Woes
The timing of Doggett’s resurgence is critical, as Australia’s pace depth is tested. With Cummins under a fitness cloud and Morris unavailable, Scott Boland appears next in line, but Doggett isn’t far behind. Others in the mix include Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser, and Sean Abbott.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are expected to feature in Australia’s ODI series against India and may play a Shield game for New South Wales ahead of the Ashes. Boland is likely to play at least two matches for Victoria.
Cameron Green, meanwhile, has been left out of the T20I tour to New Zealand so he can return to bowling in Western Australia’s opening Shield match following thumb surgery.
Cummins Confident in Australia's Pace Depth
Despite his own injury, Cummins expressed faith in the backup pace options available.
“We feel really well placed,” Cummins said earlier this week. “There’s been a lot of planning. Doggett was part of squads last year. Neser, Abbott, Jhye — they’re all in the mix. We’re confident heading into the summer.”
Australia’s domestic season begins on September 16 with the Dean Jones Trophy (50-over format), followed by the Sheffield Shield from October 4. Players involved in the Australia A tour of India or the New Zealand T20Is will miss the Shield’s opening round, giving Doggett a clear runway to impress selectors.
With form, fitness, and confidence aligning, Brendan Doggett may be about to take the long-awaited next step in his career — from domestic spearhead to potential Ashes debutant.