PERTH: Australian pace legend Brett Lee has thrown his support behind debutant Brendan Doggett to take the new ball alongside Mitchell Starc in the opening Ashes Test at Perth Stadium, urging the team management to trust the young fast bowler in high-pressure moments.
Stand-in captain Steve Smith has yet to confirm who will partner Starc with the new ball, keeping the decision under wraps ahead of Friday’s blockbuster Test against England. But Lee believes giving Doggett the responsibility early could settle his nerves and extract the best from his natural outswing.
Doggett, who has excelled in the Sheffield Shield while opening the attack for South Australia, has been one of the most consistent wicket-takers in domestic cricket. His competing teammate Scott Boland, meanwhile, has earned a reputation as a devastating change bowler in Test cricket, collecting 62 wickets at a stunning average of 16.53.
Lee: “Hand him the new ball — let him settle straight away”
Speaking at a Fox Cricket event, Lee said opening the bowling may be the perfect way to ease Doggett into the cauldron of Ashes cricket.
“Maybe that’s the best thing for his nerves,” Lee said. “If they lose the toss and England are batting, Steve Smith might say, ‘Alright mate, take the brand-new ball and shape a few away.’
He’s been around the squad, trained with the boys, and had strong Shield seasons — he’s earned this.”
Lee added that the real test begins once Doggett steps out under the Perth sun: “When you walk out there at 10:20 am tomorrow, all that hard work transforms into action. Hopefully he channels that nervous energy and gets a bag of wickets.”
Praise for Boland: “He can seam the ball off the ice”
The former speedster also lauded Scott Boland, calling him one of Australia’s most reliable seam bowlers.
“Scott Boland can bowl anywhere. I reckon he’d get it to seam off the ice — he’s that good,” Lee quipped.
Smith impressed with Doggett’s pace and seam control
Smith confirmed that Doggett earned his debut after impressing during training sessions at Perth Stadium, edging out Michael Neser.
“He gets it down at nice pace and stands the seam up,” Smith said. “If he bowls the lengths we know he can, he’ll create plenty of chances.”
Perth pitch expected to offer pace, bounce
Curator Isaac McDonald has prepared a surface designed for fast bowlers, promising extra pace and bounce for the first-ever Ashes Test in Perth.
Lee advised bowlers to remain disciplined and bowl a fuller length to exploit the carry.
“You’ve got to bowl a lot fuller here — that five-metre length,” he said. “Teams get excited when the ball flies through to the keeper, but the right tactic is to hit the top of off stump. Expect plenty of slip catches.”
