South Australian fast bowler Brendan Doggett experienced every cricketer's dream turning into reality during a tense Sheffield Shield match last week, discovering he could be just days away from a Test debut against England.
Nervous Wait Turns into Dream Opportunity
While preparing to bat in a crucial run chase for South Australia in Hobart, Doggett's heart raced as teammate Travis Head revealed that Josh Hazlewood had injured his hamstring, potentially opening the door for a Test debut. The news came during last Wednesday's match, with Hazlewood being officially ruled out of the first Test on Saturday.
"I was getting the whites on to pad up, so I was very nervous," Doggett recalled from Perth on Monday. "Then 'Heady' was sitting next to me... he was winding me up a bit. So it's not really what I needed at the time."
With captain Pat Cummins still recovering from a back injury, Doggett is set to join Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in Australia's pace attack for the opening Ashes encounter.
Seven-Year Journey to Test Cricket
Doggett's potential debut comes seven years after his initial selection in an Australian Test squad. The 31-year-old made the bold decision to leave Queensland, where he'd won two Sheffield Shield titles, for South Australia in 2021 - a move that has clearly paid dividends.
"I don't know how ready you can be for Test cricket," Doggett admitted. "But the last 18 months, to two years, has easily been the most successful I've been in terms of numbers of wickets, but also just confidence in my body, confidence in my game."
His development has been guided by two former Australian fast bowling greats, with Ryan Harris and Jason Gillespie serving as his coaches in South Australia. Doggett repaid their faith by spearheading his adopted state to a drought-breaking Shield triumph in March, claiming player of the match honours with an 11-wicket haul.
From Carpenter to Test Cricketer
Doggett's journey to international cricket is particularly remarkable given he never made any representative teams until his early twenties. The Rockhampton-born quick earned his Queensland contract after dominating club cricket while working as a carpenter in Toowoomba.
"I feel like I've lived two lives," Doggett reflected emotionally. "Early on my career, I felt lucky just to be here and have this opportunity. I still do."
"Even this week, my old boss has been texting me, and tradesmen that I worked with, people I came across on job sites have been messaging me. It takes me back to those days, and it just reminds me of who I really am."
Doggett maintains strong connections to his roots, noting that when he returns to Toowoomba, he's "just a tradie again, put the nail bag on and keep building houses."
Should he take the field in Perth, Doggett will become Australia's third Indigenous Test cricketer, joining teammate Scott Boland in the same playing eleven.
Boland expressed confidence in his potential new-ball partner, stating: "He brings a real skill, a fast outswing bowler. He's someone who can bowl really long spells. He tends to bowl 20 or 25 overs in a day - they push their quicks a little bit more than what some other teams do."
The personal sacrifices continue for Doggett, whose partner Jacki - expecting their second child in March - will only join him in Perth once his selection in the final XI is confirmed.
"We've got a two-and-a-half year old, so travelling is not that easy," he explained. "If it is happening, there'll be people coming from everywhere, which would be exciting."
Doggett and fellow potential debutant Jake Weatherald trained with the Australian squad at Perth Stadium on Monday, taking the next step in a journey that began on construction sites and country cricket fields.
