Boland and Doggett retain spot in squad for third Ashes Test in Adelaide, though dual inclusion appears unlikely

Jarred Cross Published December 10, 2025 at 1.30pm (AWST)

sport

Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland (pictured) have retained their places in Australia's 15-man squad ahead of likely changes to the host's bowling attack for the Adelaide Test. (Image: Gary Day/AP)

Indigenous quicks Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett's pairing in Australia's pace attack appears unlikely to continue in Adelaide after the home side confirmed their squad for the third Ashes Test starting next week

The all but certain returns of skipper Pat Cummins as well as spinner Nathan Lyon —who was omitted for the Brisbane Test — is set to put pressure on the pair's positions in Australia's attack for the Adelaide Oval fixture.

At the Gabba, Boland and Doggett weren't able to recreate the same impact they had in the series opener, combining for five wickets across first and second innings.

Australia's bowling performance was headlined by Mitchell Starc's six-wicket haul and recalled seamer Michael Neser, who took his maiden Test 5-fa to see the hosts take a two-nil lead over England.

In Perth a fortnight earlier, Boland and Doggett — whose joint selection became first time two First Nations players lined up in the same Australia Test XI — starred with nine wickets between them in the eight wicket victory.

Boland looked solid with the pink ball as he continued to regather from a self-admitted lacklustre first innings contribution at Perth Stadium, while Doggett was again required to turn to unfamiliar short-pitch tactics in the middle overs.

It appears just one position between them is up for grabs in Australia's bowling unit for the third Test, assuming a last-in, last out philosophy sees the omittion of Neser.

*Brendan Doggett took five wickets on debut in Perth before a more testing second match of his Test career with the pink ball in Brisbane. (Image: Gary Day/AP)*

Cummins' addition is the sole change made to Australia's squad for Adelaide, announced on Wednesday, compared to the 14-player unit lineup named ahead of Brisbane.

Veteran opener Usman Khawaja, despite missing the second Test after limited contribution in Perth with back spasms, has also retained his spot.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Australian coach Andrew McDonald signalled an expected return of his captain.

"His body's ready to go. Barring anything else happening in the next week, I'd be expecting Pat to be tossing the coin and putting the blazer on," he said of Cummins, per cricket.com.au.

Pundits have suggested Boland could be tactically rested in Adelaide before returning to his home deck at the MCG, and avoid back-to-back short turnarounds before the final Test in Sydney.

Boland has eight wickets from two Tests at Adelaide at around par of his career average, while Nathan Lyon is the all-time leading wicket-taker at the venue with 63.

"The gap between one and two and two and three (Test matches) was something we thought we could manage, so it will more than likely be the best balanced and available attack for Adelaide," McDonald said on Wednesday, according to cricket.com.au.

"So we wouldn't be thinking that someone would need to rest there, it's probably more so in Test matches four and five.

"Pat will be available and, in the squad, so that obviously creates a different balance to our attack."

Australian squad for Adelaide Test: Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.