Australia will enter the Ashes opener with only one of their much-feared pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood available. So, who will partner Starc in Perth?
Australia were dealt yet another injury blow when Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the Perth Test due to a hamstring injury. Sean Abbott, who was initially named in the 15-member squad, will miss out due to a hamstring issue as well.
They now only have Starc and Scott Boland among their frontline fast bowlers to line up in the Ashes opener, with Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser available for the two vacant spots.
Australia squad for the first Ashes Test: Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
1st Test, Australia vs England
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Who partners Starc and Boland?
Scott Boland, who ran through England batting on their last tour down under, picks himself in Cummins and Hazlewood’s absence. This leaves Neser, who replaces the latter in the squad, and Doggett contending for one spot in the XI.
Notably, Neser’s Test debut came during the last Ashes in Australia in December 2021, and he had replaced Hazlewood then as well. However, he waited almost a year for his second Test, and hasn’t played the format since. He was among the wickets during the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield, picking up 31 of them at 20.90. In the ongoing season, he has taken 14 wickets in three matches at 24.28. But he may likely have to wait a bit longer for his third Test appearance.
A 31-year-old Doggett, who picked up 33 wickets in the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield to help South Australia win the title, and 13 more in two matches of the ongoing Shield season, is widely expected to make his Test debut now. His most recent first-class outing saw him pick up a five-for against Tasmania.
Neser's first-class numbers: 116 matches, 413 wickets @ 23.73
Doggett's first-class numbers: 50 matches, 190 wickets @ 26.46
Hazlewood and Cummins’ absence will also mean that Cameron Green, who only returned to full fitness recently, may have some added responsibility with the ball.
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