Boland and Doggett retained as Australia make surprising selection calls for pink ball Test

Jarred Cross Published December 4, 2025 at 12.55pm (AWST)

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Australia's first Indigenous pair to play Test cricket, Brendan Doggett (centre) and Scott Boland, have both retained their place in Australia's Test XI for the Ashes pink ball Test. (Image: Gary Day/AP)

First Nations quicks Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett have retained their places in Australia's Test XI who will look to take a two-nil Ashes lead in the day-night contest in Meandjin, beginning Thursday.

Amid a raft of selection calls, Queensland seamer Michael Neser has been selected for his first match in three years to join the pair, and Mitchell Starc, in the home-side's all pace attack.

Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon won't feature with the pink ball after missing out, with regular skipper Pat Cummins also falling short of returning from a back injury.

The makeup of Australia's XI remained unconfirmed until the toss, with Steve Smith keeping tight-lipped on Wednesday, as neither Boland nor Doggett's spot were certain with changes expected.

Josh Inglis comes into the middle order with Travis Head to again open the batting after his Perth heroics, replacing Usman Khawaja who has been omitted with ongoing back problems.

Boland and Doggett took nine wickets between them in Australia's rapid and historic win at Perth.

It was the first time two Indigenous players featured together in a Test side, with Doggett becoming the third Indigenous man, and fifth overall - including Ash Gardner and Faith Thomas - to receive a baggy green.

Doggett had two in the first innings and a trio in the second to help restrict England's second-innings total, while Boland had four after a self-admitted off start to the series.

However the Gulidjan man responded strongly, taking three wickets in quick succession to dull England's 100-run lead with nine wickets in hand, before taking a fourth late in the piece.

The game has flipped on its head AGAIN!#Ashes live blog: https://t.co/9jWa4DVSnt pic.twitter.com/reSrLV0453
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2025

It left Australia with just over 200 to chase for victory, an astonishing result from the start of day two, handled easily after a devastating century at the top of the order by Head.

Boland and Doggett will get their chance with the pink ball early.

England won the toss and elected to bat. As of 2:30pm local time the tourists were 2/28.

Teams for the second Ashes Test (alphabetical order):

Australia: Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (captain), Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald

England: Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes (captain)