Australia Announces Playing XI for Ashes Opener: Doggett, Weatherald to Debut in Perth
Australia confirms Ashes XI with two 31-year-old debutants as injuries sideline Cummins and Hazlewood.
Steve Smith, stepping in as Australia’s stand-in captain for the opening Ashes Test, has confirmed a bold lineup featuring two debutants for the first time in an Ashes clash since the 2010-11 Sydney fixture, as the hosts prepare to defend the urn against England at Optus Stadium starting Friday. With regular skipper Pat Cummins sidelined by a recurring lumbar stress injury and pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood ruled out due to a hamstring tear, South Australia quick Brendan Doggett earns his Baggy Green at 31, joining Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald, also 31, as the fresh faces in a revamped XI. The announcement, made during Smith’s eve-of-match press conference, underscores a reliance on domestic form amid injury woes, with Marnus Labuschagne reclaiming his favoured No. 3 berth after a prolific Sheffield Shield return. Australia’s XI reads: 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.
Doggett’s inclusion marks a historic milestone, as the Indigenous quick becomes the second Aboriginal player in the XI alongside opener Khawaja, the first such pairing in men’s Test history and a poignant nod to Australia’s diverse cricketing heritage. The 31-year-old, with 190 first-class wickets at 25.78, including 13 at 14.69 this season post-hamstring recovery, edges out Michael Neser for the third seamer’s slot behind Starc and Boland, who replaces Cummins. Smith praised Doggett’s evolution: “He’s been on a few tours with Australia. He is very skilful. 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.” Weatherald, meanwhile, slots in as Khawaja’s seventh opening partner since David Warner’s 2024 retirement, bringing 5,300 first-class runs at 37.47 and an aggressive style honed in Tasmania’s ranks. His selection over promoting Labuschagne to open reflects a preference for specialist roles on Perth’s bouncy deck.
The reshuffle sees Labuschagne’s return at three—a position where he averages 52.50 in 45 Tests—pushing Cameron Green to six and sidelining all-rounder Beau Webster after seven straight outings since his India debut. Smith called it a “really tough one” on Webster, who impressed with 1,000-plus runs and 20 wickets last summer, but backed Labuschagne’s form: “When he’s batting at his best at number three, he makes us a very good cricket side... The way he’s batted in Shield and one-day cricket for Queensland in the last couple of weeks has been amazing.” Josh Inglis also misses out, with Carey retaining the gloves. On X, fans buzzed with excitement, one post hailing the “Indigenous duo milestone” while another quipped, “Weatherald and Doggett: Late bloomers ready to bite England.”
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This Ashes opener, the first at Perth Stadium since 2019, pits a transitional Australia—entering as 2023 retainers after a drawn series—against a resurgent England under Ben Stokes, who boasts a pace battery of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse. All five tosses at the venue have favoured batting first, with Australia winning four of five, but forecasts predict seam-friendly conditions under overcast skies. Smith downplayed the injury blows: “Injuries happen in sport, particularly in cricket with fast bowlers... It's unfortunate that those two are out. But an exciting opportunity for Scotty and Brendan.” As the series kicks off the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, where Australia leads with a perfect percentage from their West Indies sweep, the dual debuts inject fresh energy into a rivalry that has seen 345 Tests since 1877.
Ricky Ponting, previewing on ICC Review, endorsed the XI as Australia’s “best team”, predicting a tight 3-2 Baggy Green triumph but warning England’s attack could exploit greenhorn nerves. With Lyon’s spin, the lone non-seamer, the focus is on pace and depth to counter England’s batting firepower, including Joe Root and Harry Brook. Broadcast globally on Fox Sports and streaming via Kayo, the clash promises fireworks under Perth’s floodlights, where Australia has won 13 of 22 Ashes bouts overall but lost the last two Down Under series. As Smith leads for the first time since 2021, the onus falls on veterans like Starc (344 wickets) to shepherd the newcomers in what could define the urn’s fate by Sydney’s January finale.
