The Ashes 2025-26: Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett handed Test Debuts as Australia drops Beau Webster

Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett will make their Test debuts as Australia drops Beau Webster from the starting XI for the Ashes opener at Optus Stadium.

The bold selection move sees two debutants in the same Test for the first time since 2019 when Kurtis Patterson and Jhye Richardson came in to face Sri Lanka.

Weatherald, 31, will open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja, allowing Marnus Labuschagne to return to his preferred No.3 position. Cameron Green will reclaim the traditional all-rounder role at No.6.

The Northern Territory-raised Weatherald will become Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner retired from Test cricket in January 2024.

Weatherald’s Tasmania teammate Webster misses out, dropped after playing seven Tests since his remarkable debut against India in January.

Doggett, meanwhile, has edged out Michael Neser for the final pace spot, joining Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in the attack following injuries to Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

“For Beau, he’s the one that misses out unfortunately. He came into international cricket and lit it up immediately – it’s a really tough one on him,” captain Steve Smith said.

“Unfortunate that those two (Hazlewood and Cummins) are out. But an exciting opportunity for Scotty (Boland) and for Brendan Doggett to make his debut.

“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.”

After being dropped for the tour of the Caribbean following a lean run, Labuschagne is back following his outstanding start to the summer for Queensland.

“Marnus, when he’s batting at his best at number three, he makes us a very good cricket side,” Smith said.

“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, so when he’s batting well, he’s tough to leave out and hopefully he can bring that to the Test arena now.”

Green, who had pushed up to No.3 since his return from a serious back injury, will go back to No.6 where he started his Test career.

But Green looms as Australia’s long-term No.4 when Smith ends his illustrious Test career in coming years.

The 26-year-old has only just returned to bowling after playing as a batter-only in his four Tests this year.

England on Wednesday named a 12-man squad for the first Test, picking both speedsters Jofra Archer and Mark Wood as they aim to capitalise on a traditional pacy and bouncy pitch in Perth.

England captain Ben Stokes will also address the media on Thursday after Smith speaks in what shapes as the closest Ashes series in Australia for more than 40 years.

Before the team announcement, former Test great Adam Gilchrist backed Weatherald to partner Khawaja at the top of the order.

“(Marnus) has been just so impressive,” Gilchrist said. “He’s done absolutely everything you could possibly ask of a player being dropped. His position is three, so I would rather see him at three and Jake at the top.”

Labuschagne’s five centuries in seven matches for Queensland at No.3 this domestic season all but cemented his return to first drop.

The reshuffle likely spells bad luck for Webster, who appears set to lose his place at No.6 to Green.

“It’s a tough call on Webster if he misses out, but that’s top-level cricket,” Gilchrist said. “I played in an era where we could’ve had a number of guys picked in the first XI and they just had to wait. They got their chance and stepped up beautifully like Webster has, but that’s the nature of the game.”

AUSTRALIA XI: Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett.

With AAP/Newswire

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