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WATCH: Field of Dreams finalistsHarris: Doggett is “ready to go” for likely Ashes debut
Sam Kosack • November 17th, 2025 5:57 pm
South Australian Sheffield Shield coach Ryan Harris has declared Brendan Doggett is “ready to go” as the bowler looms as Josh Hazlewood’s likely Ashes replacement.
Hazlewood was ruled out of the first Ashes Test on Saturday after injuring his hamstring in NSW’s most recent Sheffield Shield game against Victoria.
A staple of Australia’s bowling cartel for the past decade, it is unclear how much of the series Hazlewood will partake in.
It opens the door for Doggett, the 31-year-old South Australia seamer, to make his Test debut in the Ashes series opener.
Harris, who is Doggett’s coach at Sheffield Shield, believes Doggett is at the perfect stage to make his debut.
“I've been back in Adelaide three years now, and he's just gotten better and better in that time,” Harris told SEN 1170 Afternoons.
“He’s been building over a number of years but one thing I've noticed in the last sort of couple of years is he's obviously matured, he knows his game really well.
“He's still had a couple of little issues with injury here and there, as most bowlers do, but I think in the last sort of two years, he's got his body up to scratch… I think he's really at peace with his body and where it is and probably more importantly his game.
“He knows what his role is when he plays, and he executes that role 99 per cent of the time.
“Obviously, it's still a little bit nerve-wracking, making your debut at Test level, but I think if you're a bit older… I guess the occasion doesn't sort of overrule you.
"He's at that point now where he's ready to go."
Doggett is in strong form at state level, taking recent figures of 5/66 and 6/48 in his last two Sheffield Shield innings against Tasmania and Western Australia respectively.
Harris made his Test debut at 31 years old, the same age as Doggett, and believes his age will be an advantage in the cauldron of Ashes cricket.
“He's sort of high 130s, but sort of hits the bat harder than you think, and… on a good day he can crank it up sort of past the 140 as well,” Harris said.
“He's not too tall… he's no Mitchell Starc tall, but he does get some nice bounce as well.
“One of the most important things, he bowls a really nice length, what I call sort of a Test length, which is a little bit fuller, and he can swing the ball at pace.
“He's got all the ingredients, and… I feel as though it's the best time… for him to have a crack.”
Australia’s XI will be announced on Friday ahead of the first Test.
