Australia to Create History in Ashes 2025; Playing These Two Cricketers

The first Test encounter in the Ashes 2025-26 is scheduled to start from November 21 in Perth. While England has announced a 12-member squad for the Test, Australia has announced its playing XI for the series opener. Steve Smith will lead the hosts, and they also have two debutants for the match.

Meanwhile, the Australia playing XI is set to create an interesting record on the cricket field tomorrow by playing two indigenous players in one game.

Australia Set To Create History in Ashes 2025 Opener

While Scott Boland is already in the team, the Aussies have included Brendan Doggett in the playing XI, creating history. For the first time, an Australian side will have two indigenous players in the playing XI. Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett belong to the Worimi people from Newcastle. Since Josh Hazlewood sustained an injury, a place opened up for Doggett in the team. Before the team was announced, Boland backed Doggett during an interview and opened up about how exciting it would be for the indigenous community to watch the players in action.

“Hopefully, Brendan does get the nod and that happens,” Boland said on Monday. “It’ll obviously be really special for him and his family, and the Australian Indigenous community."

Doggett's domestic season went well, where he claimed 33 wickets, including 11 in the final last season. He helped South Australia break a 29-year trophy drought with his extraordinary bowling spells. This isn't the first time Doggett has made it into Australia's Test squad. He got a chance back in 2018 but had to miss the series due to injury. He has all the skills to become one of the best Australian bowlers. This domestic season, he has already taken 13 wickets in two matches. It looks like the Australian bowling attack is fierce and ready to take on England.

“I think he brings a real skill,” Boland said of Doggett. “He’s a fast outswing bowler, and he’s someone who can bowl really long spells. He bowls a lot of overs. When he’s playing for South Australia, he can bowl 20-25 [overs] in a day."

Josh Hazlewood Set to Miss Ashes 2025 First Match

Australia received a huge blow ahead of the Ashes 2025-26 opening match as star bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the game due to a muscle strain. The player was under observation and was initially allowed to play, but now will miss the game. He didn't travel with the team to Perth either. This will be a major setback for Aussies in one of the greatest rivalry in cricket.

“Initial scans on Wednesday were clear of muscle strain; however, follow-up imaging today has confirmed the injury. Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries,” read a CA statement.

This is good news for England since their star bowler Mark Wood has returned from injury and has joined the team for the first game. He, along with Jofra Archer, is expected to wreak havoc on the home team, making it impossible for them to dominate from the start. The viewers should stay hooked to the match since the Ashes are always fun to watch.