Australia legend Ricky Ponting has outlined his preferred Playing XI for the opening Ashes Test against England, starting in Perth on Friday, backing Jake Weatherald for a debut and selecting Brendan Doggett to bolster an injury-hit pace attack.

Australia’s preparations for the marquee series have been disrupted by injuries to frontline quicks Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, both ruled out of the first Test, along with back-up pacer Sean Abbott. With team balance and available resources in mind, Ponting’s suggested line-up features one debutant and a reshuffled bowling group.

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“I feel that Australia’s best team has Jake Weatherald opening the batting along with (Usman) Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne at three,” Ponting said on The ICC Review.

“He’s (Labuschagne) done absolutel

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