Australia have confirmed their playing XI for the first Ashes Test in Perth, with two 31-year-olds—opener Jake Weatherald and fast bowler Brendan Doggett—set to make their Test debuts on Friday. It marks the first time since the 2010-11 Sydney Test that Australia will field multiple debutants in an Ashes encounter.​

The Two Debutants

Brendan Doggett earns his maiden cap as replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood. The 31-year-old South Australia quick has been in excellent form this Sheffield Shield season, taking 13 wickets at 14.69 since returning from a hamstring injury.​

Steve Smith praised Doggett’s readiness: “Brendan’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”.​

Jake Weatherald, also 31, becomes Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner’s retirement in early 2024. The Tasmania left-hander has never played international cricket in any format, making his selection all the more remarkable.​

Smith noted Weatherald’s courage in training: “I watched him batting in the nets pretty closely the last few days. They were pretty tricky nets, fast, bouncy and a lot of seam. He’s got a lot of courage, he just goes in there. I don’t think he faces any of the sidearms or anything. He wants to face bowlers the entire time”.​

Historic Indigenous Representation

With Doggett’s inclusion alongside Scott Boland, Australia will field two Indigenous players in a men’s Test XI for the first time in history. This milestone adds significance to Doggett’s long-awaited debut.​

Labuschagne Returns at No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne earns a recall to his favored number three position after prolific form for Queensland. He has hit five hundreds across formats so far this domestic season, making his case impossible to ignore.​

“Marnus, when he’s batting at his best at number three, he makes us a very good cricket side,” Smith explained. “We couldn’t really leave him out after he came back and did exactly what was told of him. The way he’s batted in Shield and one-day cricket for Queensland in the last couple of weeks has been amazing”.​

Webster Unlucky to Miss Out

The casualty of Labuschagne’s return is Beau Webster, who loses his spot despite making four half-centuries in seven Tests since debuting against India at the SCG earlier this year. Smith acknowledged the difficulty of the decision.​

“Very tricky. I think he’s come into international cricket and lit it up immediately. It’s a really tough one on him,” Smith said of Webster, who also claimed eight wickets against South Australia in his most recent Sheffield Shield match.​

Green Drops to No. 6 Cameron Green returns to number six, where he began his Test career, after batting at three in the West Indies and four before his back injury. His successful return to bowling—getting through 16 overs in the last Sheffield Shield round—was the key final piece to the selection puzzle.​

“With him bowling and taking that load, we feel that six is a good position for him right now. It doesn’t mean in the future that he’s not going to slide up the order but, for right now, number six suits this team,” Smith explained.​

Lyon Recalled

Nathan Lyon returns after being left out in Jamaica when Australia fielded an all-pace attack in the day-night Test. His experience on the Perth surface makes him valuable despite the traditional pace-friendly nature of the venue.​

Cummins and Hazlewood Absences

With regular captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both ruled out through injury, Australia’s pace attack features Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and debutant Doggett. Smith acknowledged the challenge while expressing confidence.

“Injuries happen in sport, particularly in cricket with fast bowlers, they put a lot of stress through their bodies. Unfortunate that those two are out. But an exciting opportunity for Scotty (Boland) and for Brendan Doggett to make his debut,” Smith stated.​

Complete Playing XI

Australia XI for first Ashes Test:

Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith ©, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett​

The first Test begins Friday at 10:20 AM local time (2:30 AM GMT) at Optus Stadium, Perth, with Australia hoping their battle-hardened debutants can handle the pressure of an Ashes opener.