Brendan Doggett, the country carpenter in Test contention who has shocked the cricket world

He never played one junior rep game. He was happy playing country first grade, where, once upon a time, he thought his career may peak. He might yet play a Test for Australia.

Brendan Doggett, the chippy who kept chipping away, might just prove that every dog has it’s day.

South Australian and ex-Queensland fast bowler Doggett has been called into the Australian Test squad following the breakdown of Josh Hazlewood and if he does land a five-dayer will become one of cricket’s most inspirational stories of the summer.

“This is a bit surprising to be honest – the last thing I would have expected,’’ Doggett said.

He might not have expected it now but a decade ago Test selection was even further off his radar when when no-one had less expectations of Doggett’s career than the man himself.

When he left school in Toowoomba, Doggett became a carpenter and played grade cricket with Toowoomba Souths into his early 20s, a man totally at peace with his work-life balance and quietly sensing he had reached the limit of his ability.

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Brendan Doggett took six wickets in Australia A’s clash with India A in Mackay. Picture: Getty Images

“I never made any junior rep teams or was involved with pathways,’’ said Doggett, part of Australian coach Justin Langer’s first touring squad six years ago to play Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

“Cricket for me was playing with my mates on a Saturday afternoon in Toowoomba. That is all I ever thought it would be. I would play with my brother in the backyard. It was a bit of hit and giggle and fun. Professional cricket was never a reality for me.

“I was working as a carpenter, getting up early, and my boss loved cricket and we would talk about it all the times. I was pretty satisfied with that life to be honest but I feel that real world experience helped my perspective on cricket.

“I was still playing in Toowoomba at 21. I did not even have a dream of playing in Brisbane, never mind higher up. But my brother moved to Brisbane and I decided to wanted to go there.’’

When he was smacked around by Queensland captain James Hopes and took 0-30 off his first three overs on debut in Brisbane grade cricket Doggett privately sensed his best option was to go back to Toowoomba.

But Hopes liked his pace and soon Doggett was included in elite training squads. His Second XI debut for Queensland was the first time in his life he had played representative cricket and he soon took a pay cut from his carpentry salary to accept a rookie contract with Queensland.

Brendan Doggett moved to South Australia after playing in two winning Sheffield Shield finals for Queensland. Picture: Getty Images

Doggett, an Indigenous Australian described by his manager Stephen Atkinson and “a humble country kid who has done it all himself’’, moved to South Australia with good mate Nathan McSweeney after playing in two winning Sheffield Shield finals and the last ball he bowled for Queensland dismissed Josh Hazlewood to win the 2020-21 Sheffield Shield title.

Fate has played its part in Doggett’s call-up as several players withdrew from the recent Australia A versus India A match in Mackay allowing him to gain a late call-up and snare 6-15 in the first innings.

“Three guys fell over in front of me which was ironic because normally I am the injured one. I spoke to my brother (Sam) about it and he said you have got absolutely nothing to lose so go up there and try and bowl quick and fast outswingers. There was no concerns about failing.

“It is amazing how it works out. I never guessed I would be getting a call-up into a Test squad this Australian this Australian summer. I got a call from Tony Dodemaide yesterday afternoon who said everything was going well but unfortunately Josh has gone down with a sore side.’’

A lucky break perhaps, but a reward for the chippie who just kept chipping away.

Originally published as Brendan Doggett, the country carpenter in Test contention who has shocked the cricket world