Jake Weatherald included in Ponting's Australia XI for Ashes opener
What's the story
Former captain Ricky Ponting has named his ideal Australian XI for the 1st Ashes Test against England, starting November 21 in Perth. Ponting has picked Jake Weatherald for a potential Test debut and included Brendan Doggett in the pace attack, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC) website. Notably, Australia will miss the services of senior pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who are out injured.
Batting lineup
Ponting picks Weatherald as opener
Ponting's ideal Australia XI has a debutant and a restructured pace attack. He said, "I feel that Australia's best team has Jake Weatherald opening the batting along with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne at three." He further added that Labuschagne has done everything asked of him in the past month by scoring hundreds at will and returning to the side at No. 3.
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Weatherald picked ahead of other openers
Weatherald earlier received his maiden Test call-up. The 31-year-old was ahead of Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, and Matt Renshaw in the pecking order. Weatherald owns over 5,000 First-Class runs with 13 tons.
Middle order
Ponting's preferred middle and lower order
Ponting's ideal middle and lower order for Australia includes Steve Smith at No. 4, Travis Head at 5, Cameron Green at 6, and Alex Carey at 7. He also included Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc in the pace attack, placing Brendan Doggett ahead of Michael Neser. Senior spinner Nathan Lyon is a sure-shot pick in Ponting's ideal XI for Australia.
Selection challenges
Australia's selection dilemma for Ashes
Ponting discussed how Australia ended up with a selection headache ahead of the Ashes. He said, "If you had asked me this (to pick the XI) a week ago, my thoughts might have been slightly different." This was in light of Hazlewood's hamstring strain and the unavailability of Cummins, leaving Scott Boland, Starc, and Doggett as the primary fast bowling options. Notably, Steve Smith will lead Australia in Cummins's absence.
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Australia's squad for Ashes (1st Test)
Australia's squad (1st Test): Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster.