Weatherald and Doggett Set for Debuts in First Ashes Test at Perth Stadium

Australia will hand debuts to Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett in the opening Ashes Test at Perth Stadium, with Beau Webster omitted from the playing XI. The decision comes as selectors finalised the side following Cameron Green’s successful return to bowling, which provided much-needed balance amidst the absence of senior quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Green’s availability allowed Australia to rely on four frontline bowlers, supported by the allrounder. Marnus Labuschagne also returns to his preferred No. 3 position after an excellent start to the domestic season with Queensland. Nathan Lyon re-enters the XI after missing the Jamaica Test—where Australia opted for an all-pace attack.

This will be the first time since 2019 that Australia debut two players in the same Test, and the first time in an Ashes contest since 2010–11. Doggett’s inclusion, as Hazlewood’s replacement, is historically significant: Australia will field two Indigenous players in a Test match for the first time.

Doggett, 31, has been in strong form for South Australia, taking 13 wickets at 14.69 since recovering from a hamstring injury. Weatherald becomes Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner’s retirement in early 2024. He was seen preparing intently on Thursday with visualisation drills and a final training session in the middle.

Webster, who has impressed with four half-centuries in seven Tests since debuting earlier this year, was unlucky to miss out despite his versatility. Although he had a quiet run in the Sheffield Shield, he impressed with eight wickets against South Australia last week.

The reshuffled batting order sees Green return to No. 6, where he started his Test career, after stints higher up before his back injury. Josh Inglis and Michael Neser are the other omissions from the 14-player squad.

Australia XI for First Ashes Test:
Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (capt), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett

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