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Australia’s preparations for their upcoming three-Test tour of the Caribbean have hit a hurdle, with fast bowler Brendan Doggett ruled out due to a minor hip injury. In his place, experienced all-rounder has been called up, marking a significant opportunity for the Australian replacement and a frustrating setback for Doggett, who was on the verge of a long-awaited Test debut.
Brendan Doggett gets ruled out of the Test series against West Indies
Doggett’s omission from the squad is a blow for both the player and the team. The 31-year-old quick, who had been Australia’s travelling reserve for the World Test Championship final, was set to play a key role in the Caribbean after a stellar domestic season. Doggett’s performance in the Sheffield Shield final, where he took a record 11 wickets for 140 runs to help South Australia clinch a drought-breaking title, had put him firmly in the selectors’ plans. His return to the national setup after several years away was a testament to his resilience and form.
However, a minor hip issue has forced Doggett to return home, delaying his Test debut once more. This is particularly disappointing given his career-best form and the fact that he had previously been on the cusp of selection during last summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Doggett’s absence leaves a gap in Australia’s pace stocks, but it also opens the door for another seasoned campaigner to step up.
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A seasoned all-rounder steps in for Australia
Sean Abbott, 33, has been handed a golden opportunity to finally make his Test debut. Abbott is no stranger to international cricket, having played 28 ODIs and 20 T20Is for Australia, but a Baggy Green cap has so far eluded him. His recent red-ball form has been impressive—he claimed six wickets for 99 runs in his last first-class match for New South Wales and finished the Sheffield Shield season with 19 wickets at an average of 21.94. Abbott was also part of the Test squad that toured Sri Lanka earlier this year, further underlining his credentials.
With the Caribbean tour starting on June 25 in Barbados, Abbott’s inclusion brings valuable experience and versatility to the squad. The Australian selectors and head coach Andrew McDonald will be hoping Abbott can translate his domestic success onto the international stage, especially as the team looks to bounce back from their defeat in the World Test Championship final against South Africa.
Australia’s squad may yet see further changes, with star batter Steve Smith nursing a dislocated finger sustained during the WTC final. Smith avoided surgery and will travel to the Caribbean, but his availability for the first Test remains uncertain as he recovers in a splint. The squad’s depth will be tested, and Abbott’s all-round abilities could prove crucial if further reshuffles are needed. As the Australians gear up for their first Test in the West Indies since 2016, the forced squad change is a reminder of the unpredictability of elite sport.
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