Stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith has confirmed his team’s final XI for the opening Ashes Test against England in Perth, with the hosts set to hand out two Test debuts in a high-stakes ICC World Test Championship clash.
As predicted by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting on The ICC Review, opener Jake Weatherald and fast bowler Brendan Doggett have both been named in the XI, marking a bold selection approach from the Australian camp.
Their inclusion means all-rounder Beau Webster misses out despite a series of impressive recent performances. Australia have opted instead to recall Marnus Labuschagne, who returns to the Test side at No. 3 after being dropped following the World Test Championship Final against South Africa in June.
Labuschagne was not part of the subsequent tour of the West Indies but has since piled on domestic runs in both the Sheffield Shield and List-A cricket—form that Smith says could not be ignored.
“Marnus at No. 3 makes us a strong side. He did exactly what was asked of him, and the way he has batted for Queensland in recent weeks has been outstanding,” Smith said.
Smith admitted that leaving out Webster was tough but said selection came down to balance and form.
In the bowling department, Doggett joins experienced left-armer Mitchell Starc and in-form seamer Scott Boland, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon takes charge of the spin duties.
Regular quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood remain unavailable, but Smith expressed full confidence in Doggett’s readiness for Test cricket.
