Stand-in captain Steve Smith has confirmed Australia’s starting XI for the first Ashes Test against England at Perth Stadium, confirming two stars would make their debut in the series opener.
Speaking in Perth on Thursday, Smith revealed Jake Weatherald would partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order while Brendan Doggett replaces the injured Josh Hazlewood.
Scott Boland, meanwhile, comes into the side for skipper Pat Cummins who is recovering from a back injury.
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Beau Webster was the unfortunate omission with Cameron Green winning the nod as Australia’s all-rounder. Marnus Labuschagne will bat at three with Green expected to move down the order to No.6.
It is said that the injection of fresh blood can inject enthusiasm into even the most experienced team and Smith is looking forward to what the debutants can offer in Perth.
While Smith’s memory of facing Doggett in domestic cricket is hazy, he said the former Toowoomba chippy has developed nicely since his first tour with Australia back in 2018.
The stand-in captain did not declare who will take the new ball alongside Mitch Starc in the absence of Pat Cummins, who batted in the nets on Thursday, and Josh Hazlewood.
But Smith is confident Doggett and Scott Boland have the necessary quality to cover for the superstars.
“It is unfortunate, obviously, that those two are out, but I think it is an exciting opportunity for for Scotty and for Brendan Doggett, who’s going to make his debut,” Smith said.
“Brendan’s been on a few tours with Australia. He is very skilful and 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.”
The decision to partner Usman Khawaja, who skipped an optional training session on Thursday morning, with Weatherald squeezed Webster out of the team.
Smith declared the decision was made in part by a desire for Labuschagne, who forced his way back into the line-up through a stellar start to the Sheffield Shield season, to bat at No.3. This, in turn, forced all-rounder Green back to No.6 in the order.
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“It was very tricky. I think Beau came into international cricket and lit it up immediately, so I think it’s a really tough one on him,” Smith said.
“But I think Marnus, when he’s batting at his best at No.3, it makes us a very, very good cricket side. And we couldn’t really leave him out after he came back and did exactly what was (asked) of him with the way he’s batted in Shield cricket and one-day cricket for Queensland in the last couple of weeks has been amazing.
“When he’s batting, well, (it is) tough to leave him out (and) hopefully he can bring that to the Test arena now. And for Beau, obviously he’s the one that misses out, unfortunately.”
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The Ashes remains the pinnacle for Smith. And Ben Stokes is desperate for a defining moment in his tenure, but England’s hopes of reclaiming the Urn could rest on their ability to restrict the Australian No.4.
“(I have not noticed) too much change, because he just gets runs against us, doesn’t he? That seems to be a constant. He is a serious player and has been for a very long time,” Stokes said.
“Him and Joe Root are neck and neck, in my opinion, in terms of being the greatest batters of this generation. You always want to come up with ways to try and keep the best players quiet, and that’s something that obviously we’re going to have to do.
“It’ll be a hard thing to be able to do, but look, if we can keep Steve Smith, Marnus (and) all the other guys in the batting order, quiet, then we’ve given ourselves a good chance to achieve the goal that we want.”
Less than a day out from the opening Test of the Ashes, the rival captains met for a photographic shoot on Perth Stadium before giving their final words on what shapes as an intriguing series.
“It is a great series. We love coming up against England. The Ashes is the pinnacle for Australian or English cricketer. We are super excited to get the series started,” Smith said.
“The first three days are sold out, which is outstanding. There’s going to be plenty of viewers on TV, both here and back in England as well. So hopefully we can put on a good show and entertain plenty of people.”
Aside from what appeared to be a well-rehearsed driveby to a critique from former English spinner Monty Panesar, Smith otherwise appeared relaxed and excited by what is to come as he assumes the captaincy role for this Test.
“I’m pretty chilled. I think I’ve learned a lot over my journey,” Smith said.
“The couple of times that I’ve stood in for Patty, I’ve tried to be pretty relaxed and let the game play. Obviously I’ve got to do it my own way out there and have my own style. ButI’m a lot more relaxed these days, chilled, and I let the guys go about their work.”
But back to Panesar, who argued the English should focus on Smith’s sins in South Africa and try to exploit any lingering tensions or ill-will in a bid to unsettle the star No.4.
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“So (I’m) going to go off topic for a second here. Who of you in the room have seen Mastermind and Monty Panesar on that?” Smith asked.
“Well, those of you have, you’ll understand where I’m coming from. And those of you who haven’t, do yourself a favour, because it’s pretty comical.
“Anyone that believes that Athens is in Germany, that’s a start, that Oliver Twist is a season of the year and that America is a city doesn’t really bother me. That’s as far as I’ll go with that one.”
Stokes, too, was in good spirits as he offered thoughtful answers to some queries while offering the bluntest of straight bats to other questions. But there is no doubt he is aware this series will define his tenure as England’s captain.
“I understand what the series means in my journey as England captain. It’s certainly the biggest series that I will lead the side in,” he said.
“I’m aware of that. Brendan (McCullum) is aware of that as coach. Rob Key is obviously aware of that in his role as well. And I understand (the talk about) the defining series, all that kind of stuff. I get it.
“But for me personally, it’s not going to, I guess detract is the right word, away from what I’ve given to my role as England captain. It’s been three and a half years (with) a lot of time and effort put into this role.
“It is something I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I wake up every morning loving what I do, because it’s the greatest honour in English cricket to lead this team out. But by no means does that not mean that I’m desperate to be an Ashes winning captain.”
What is clear is that both champions are eager for a series in which hundreds of thousands have already been inked and spoken to begin.
“Once I’m done here, we’re good to go,” Stokes said.
“It’s been a big build up, as always, as every Ashes series is, whether it’s in England or in Australia. That’s great.
“It’s something that when you’re a kid, you look at and go, ‘Oh, I’d love to be there one day.’ Now we’re here, the day before day one of what’s going to be a pretty tough and grueling two and a half months.”
The first Ashes Test between Australia and England gets underway at Perth Stadium on Friday at 1.20pm AEDT.
AUSTRALIAN XI
Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett