Brett Lee Advises Australia to Give Debutant Brendan Doggett the New Ball Ahead of Boland in Ashes Opener
Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has publicly urged the Australian team management to hand the new ball to debutant Brendan Doggett for the opening Ashes Test against England, arguing the move would help settle the fast bowler’s nerves. Doggett, a late inclusion, is part of a historic pace attack alongside fellow Indigenous quick Scott Boland for the Perth Stadium Test.
Legendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has weighed in on the crucial selection dilemma facing stand-in captain Steve Smith, suggesting that debutant Brendan Doggett should be given the immediate responsibility of bowling with the new ball in the Ashes opener. Speaking at a promotional event on the eve of the first Test in Perth, Lee proposed an unorthodox strategy to manage the debut nerves of the 31-year-old Worimi man, who was selected due to injuries sidelining both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Lee argued that presenting the new ball could be a way to quickly channel Doggett’s nervous energy into performance, saying, “Maybe that’s the best thing for his nerves. If they lose the toss and have to bowl first, Steve might say, ‘Alright mate, you haven’t got time to get the nerves. Take the brand new ball and shape a few away.'”
Lee’s recommendation effectively favors Doggett, known for his ability to generate fast outswing, over the more established third-seamer, Scott Boland. While Boland has built a formidable Test record as a change bowler, Lee emphasized the Victorian quick’s versatility, noting, “The thing with Scott Boland is that he can bowl anywhere: I reckon he’d get the ball to seam off ice, he’s so good.” Lee’s perspective is that Boland, with his proven success at various stages of the innings, is better suited to the first-change role, allowing Doggett to maximize the initial swing and harness the pace and bounce of the Perth wicket. Stand-in captain Steve Smith had not confirmed the bowling partnerships for the match but praised Doggett’s form, acknowledging that the debutant “gets the ball down at nice pace, stands the seam up,” skills that are highly suited to the conditions expected at the stadium. Doggett and Boland will make history together in Perth, becoming the first two Indigenous men to play in the same Australian men’s Test XI.
