Battle-hardened Doggett and Weatherald ready to prove they belong

Post Australia's main training session in Perth on Wednesday, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett—one a proud Gulidjan man and the other with Worimi ancestry—walked arm in arm out of the Australian dug-out. They carried an Australian Aboriginal Flag, wrapped it around themselves, and posed for photos as the first pair of Indigenous men set to play together in a Test match for Australia, kicking off the Ashes on Friday.

This was a poignant moment not just for Boland and Doggett, but for First Nations people across the country for whom the Baggy Green has long seemed a distant dream in Australian Test cricket history.

The image also confirmed Doggett as Australia's third fast bowler, replacing Josh Hazlewood for the opening Test. Doggett had been favoured in the original squad over Michael Neser and has been among the most successful wicket-takers in the Sheffield Shield in recent seasons, including an 11-wicket haul in last summer's final to secure the title for South Australia.

Any remaining doubts were erased on Wednesday morning when Doggett shared a net with Mitchell Starc, creating havoc with the new ball on a lively pitch. While Starc was at his menacing best, clean-bowling batters and beating edges, Doggett matched him blow for blow, proving he could be an ideal new-ball partner for the 100-Test veteran in Perth.

Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett holding the Aboriginal flag
© Cricbuzz

Australia will also field a new opening pair, with Usman Khawaja set to partner Jake Weatherald. During the net session, Weatherald and Khawaja batted together for the first time after training in adjoining nets on previous days.

The Khawaja-Weatherald relationship has developed intriguingly on the sidelines. Khawaja playfully refuses to call the 31-year-old left-hander by his real name, opting for "Jack" instead, and has taken the younger batter under his wing. The two are often seen chatting between batting stints and walking out together after training.

Weatherald has grown into his role during preparation. On his first morning with the Australian Test team, he stood alone, staring out at Perth Stadium, imagining a full house and walking out to bat. He described the moment as "just excitement to be here… to represent your country in a place like this."

His first net session in Australian gear was a baptism by fire against Pat Cummins, but he held his own and looked increasingly confident. By the second day, he showcased his stroke-making against every bowler and was the last to leave, taking multiple hits. Michael Hussey, who often assists in Perth training and may present Weatherald with his Baggy Green, worked with him on handling short balls—a tactic English bowlers are likely to employ.

The net battle between Doggett and Weatherald on Wednesday highlighted two 31-year-olds who have made significant sacrifices and endured long journeys to reach this point. Both left home to find success in their adopted states and now stand as battle-hardened cricketers poised to make their Test debuts, ready to win over Australia on and off the field.