Doggett ready for potential Ashes selection after 6-wicket haul for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
‘I’ll be ready’ – Doggett waits on an Ashes call after six wickets on Shield return.
If Australia’s selectors include him in the first Test team, which is expected to be revealed on Wednesday, Brendan Doggett says he has been waiting a long time for an Ashes summons and feels prepared to play.
After a successful return to Sheffield Shield cricket following a minor hamstring injury, Doggett, 31, looks almost certain to be part of Australia’s first Ashes Test squad. However, even with Pat Cummins ruled out of the first Test, Doggett is unlikely to make his Test debut in Perth because he is expected to be a reserve for Test incumbents Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland.
In South Australia’s opening Shield match of the year, Doggett took 6 for 48 and 1 for 38 against Western Australia at the WACA venue in Perth last week. It was only his second game of any kind during that time, and his first first-class match since May.
Doggett, who was a member of Australia’s Test team for the WTC final and the West Indies tour in the winter before being dropped due to a hip injury, spoke in Adelaide on Tuesday and claimed he had not heard from the national selectors yet but was waiting by the phone.
“Absolutely. [I’ve] been waiting for this for a long time,” Doggett said. “I feel like if I do get a call to join that squad, I’ll be ready. And then we’ll see what happens.”
“To get injured batting is unlike me,” Doggett said. “It was unfortunate. There’s not much I can control in that. So it was just about getting my rehab right and trying to get back as soon as I could to play for South Australia
“I guess the timing is perfect to take a six-for but obviously I was just really happy to get back on the park and contribute.”
Doggett has climbed in the ranks to be Australia’s next fast bowler in line behind the top four, particularly on flatter Test surfaces, given his ability to swing the new ball in combination with his added pace and height.
On a level pitch at Karen Rolton Oval, he excelled in last year’s Shield final, taking 11 wickets to help South Australia win their first championship in 29 years. After that, he played three County Championship games for Durham in April and early May, taking nine wickets in his first two before being sidelined due to a minor injury. Australia’s selectors wanted him fit and available for the West Indies tour and the WTC final.
Doggett’s rise has coincided with former Australia Ashes hero Ryan Harris taking over as South Australia coach.
“Rhino has had a big impact for me, especially, probably in the last 12 months,” Doggett said. “More than anything, he sort of just given me a lot of confidence and just passed down his knowledge and the way he goes about coaching, he’s really passionate and he just wants the best for us as his players.
“It’s probably just nailing my strengths. Being able to go out and feel backed and feel confident to try and swing that new ball, or bowl aggressively and try and bowl quick and just probably do whatever the team needs.”