Jake Weatherald will join fast bowler Brendan Doggett in debuting for Australia in the Ashes opener in Perth.

While Doggett was a near-certainty to play after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Australia were weighing up whether to pick Weatherald or use Marnus Labuschagne at the top.

But the Northern Territory-raised Weatherald will become Khawaja's sixth opening partner since David Warner retired from Test cricket in January 2024.

"He's got a lot of courage," stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith said of Weatherald.

"He wants to face bowlers (in the nets) the entire time.

"The guys were charging in, bowling fast and he took it on. He was getting in really good positions, and he goes about it a certain way.

"He's been selected for his performances over the last

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