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New Delhi: Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett are set to debut for Australia in the first Ashes Test against England at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, with all-rounder Beau Webster losing his spot in the XI.
Cameron Green's successful return to bowling boosted the team's confidence ahead of the series opener. After Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the opening Test, the selectors considered adding extra bowling resources, but they have backed four frontline fast bowling options supported by Green.
Marnus Labuschagne will return to the XI at his favourite No. 3 position after a brilliant start to the domestic season with Queensland. Spinner Nathan Lyon is also recalled, having been left out of the XI in Jamaica when Australia fielded an all-pace attack in the day-night Test. Australian Captain Steven Smith confirmed the playing XI at the press conference.
This will be the first time since 2019 that Australia will hand out two debut caps in the same Test match, and the first time in an Ashes game since Usman Khawaja and Michael Beer made their debut at the SCG in the 2010-11 series.
Doggett will replace injured Hazlewood and has been in sensational form for South Australia after returning from a hamstring injury earlier in the season, with 13 wickets at 14.69. Weatherald will become Khawaja's sixth opening partner since the retirement of David Warner in early 2024.
Green, who batted at no.3 during the West Indies series and at no.4 before the back injury that ruled him out of last season, will bat at no.6 in the 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.
