Is Australia Set to Hand Out Two Debuts in the First Ashes Test?
The Ashes will finally begin from 21st November, as England and Australia face each other. But even in this fierce rivalry, Australia could bring out some trump cards in the opening game. The team could bring two debutants in the first match at Perth.
The Ashes will finally begin from 21st November, as England and Australia face each other. But even in this fierce rivalry, Australia could bring out some trump cards in the opening game. The team could bring two debutants in the first match at Perth.
The Ashes are about to get more heated than ever before this time. Starting from 21st November, both teams are eager to give their best in the Perth game. But for Australia, the news has not been so good lately, as the squad strength has been affected due to injuries. It should also be noted that this team is able to bring
And this could also happen in the first Ashes test. It is being reported that the team could bring two debutants in the first match of the series. One of these debuts will also mark the debut of a fast-paced bowler. What could make it more interesting is the fact that no fast-paced Australian bowler has made a debut over the last four years.
1. Australia's Injury Issues
Australia is having a lot of injury issues ahead of the first Test of the Ashes. Before the series, Pat Cummins had suffered with an injury and didn't even play a single game in the India tour of Australia. While Cummins has started bowling at full strength in the nets, he is not a part of the squad for
In his place, Steve Smith is leading the side. Their bowling line-up also looked powerful, having players such as Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, and Scott Boland. But now this bowling line-up has also been affected due to the injuries ahead of the first test.
Sean Abbott participated in the Sheffield Shield clash between New South Wales and Victoria. In this game, he suffered a moderate grade left hamstring injury, which has ruled him out of the game. He will be playing in the series but it has been made official that Abbott is unavailable for
Another name which joins this list with Pat Cummins and Sean Abbott is Josh Hazlewood. He has also been ruled out of the game due to a hamstring injury. In the same Sheffield Shield match, he felt tightness in his hamstring, and quickly went off the field. The initial scans said that the things are good, but the latest scans revealed a strain in his muscles. Thus, Hazlewood won't be playing in the series opener.
2. Brendan Doggett to Debut
With the injuries, Australia will be missing out on not just one but three pacers. This could also help Brendan Doggett to finally make his debut for the team. He will be joining Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in the pace bowling attack, and will be eager to dominate at the Australian pitches.
Brendan Doggett in First Class:
- Innings: 90
- Wickets: 190
- Average: 26.46
- Economy: 3.23
- Four-wicket Hauls: 10
- Five-wicket Hauls: 9
He has been an active wicket-taker for South Australia lately, dominating for them in the Sheffield Shield. Playing in this format since 2017, he could finally get a chance to debut for the team in this format. Recently in the last two games he played in the Sheffield Shield, Doggett ended up taking for the team.
If Brendan Doggett makes his debut for Australia, he will be the first fast-paced bowler to make a debut in the last four years. Before him, someone who made a debut for the team as a fast bowler in the longest format of the game is Scott Boland. He has now been a lethal weapon for the Australian bowling line-up lately.
3. Khawaja Could Get a New Opener
There are also questions regarding who will open for the team with Usman Khawaja. Reports even say that it would be Jake Weatherald who finally gets his debut cap for the Australian team. Moreover, he would be opening for Australia if he gets a chance to make his debut, as all the other batting positions remain fixed.
Jake Weatherald in First Class:
- Innings: 145
- Not Out: 3
- Runs: 5322
- Average: 37.47
- Strike Rate: 57.01
- 100s: 13
- 50s: 26
If Jake Weatherald gets his debut cap for the Australian team, he would be the 7th player to open with Usman Khawaja over the last two years. Australia has tried a number of players with Khawaja at the opening slot, and maybe Weatherald can prove his worth at this place. Earlier, the team had players such as Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas, who were also given opportunities.
0
0
0
0
0
0
Comments
Sign up or log in to your account to leave comments and reactions
0 Comments