Doggett earns maiden full CA contract after debut summer

Worimi quick Riley Doggett has capped a memorable debut international summer by earning his first full Cricket Australia contract, signalling that further Test opportunities lie ahead for the 26-year-old left-armer. The elevation from rookie deal to the national list rewards a breakthrough season in which Doggett forced his way into the Baggy Green attack and impressed selectors with his raw pace and control. CA’s move also underlines a growing belief that Doggett’s combination of bounce and left-arm angle can become a long-term asset in home and away campaigns, beginning with Australia’s next scheduled Test assignments.

Doggett, who made his Test debut during the recent home series, finished the summer with a series of lively spells that showcased his ability to extract steep lift from docile surfaces. While his raw figures were modest, insiders say the speed gun readings and the pressure he created for senior partners were pivotal in swinging sessions. National selector George Bailey praised the paceman’s “relentless energy and willingness to learn on the job,” adding that the contract decision was designed to provide stability as Australia begin a congested Test calendar that includes tours of the subcontinent and back-to-back Ashes series.

The Worimi product’s rise has been rapid: 18 months ago he was battling stress fractures and toiling in second XI matches for Tasmania. A winter stint in Perth, where he worked with former quicks on seam presentation and wrist position, revitalised his action and added 5 km/h to his stock ball. Doggett’s Sheffield Shield form for the Tigers—11 wickets in the opening three rounds—put him on the radar, and a surprise call-up for Australia A against the touring South Africans sealed his ticket to the national set-up.

Teammates describe Doggett as softly spoken off the field but relentlessly competitive once the whites are on. “He’s the guy who wants the ball when the deck is flat and the opposition are 0–100,” one senior player said. “That attitude is what the selectors love.”

With Josh Hazlewood managing a side strain and fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc entering the twilight of his career, Australia view Doggett as a natural successor who can partner Scott Boland and Pat Cummins in a refreshed pace unit. The upcoming tour of Pakistan, where reverse swing and new-ball bite are expected to be decisive, looms as the next checkpoint in Doggett’s development.

For now, the paceman will return to Launceston for a brief break before joining a high-performance camp in Brisbane next month. “Getting the full contract is huge for me and my family,” Doggett said in a brief statement. “But the real goal is to keep winning Tests for Australia—hopefully there’s a lot more cricket left in this journey.”