Jake Weatherald, the leading run-scorer of the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield, scored 183 runs in the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A to increase his chances of a Test call-up.
Jake Weatherald shines for Australia A
Batting first, Sri Lanka made 485-6d, and got an early advantage as Australia A opener Nathan McSweeney departed for 12 in the seventh over. His partner Weatherald, however, anchored the innings and brought up his 13th first-class ton, before departing 17 short of what would have been his maiden double ton.
Weatherald, who had also made 54 in the first unofficial Test, has now firmly established himself as a strong contender to get a Test call-up as opener as Australia look to sort out their top-order woes ahead of the Ashes.
Ever since David Warner’s retirement last January, Australia have struggled to find long-term options to slot into his role. They have tried five openers alongside Usman Khawaja in this period - Steven Smith, McSweeney, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Konstas - but have been left short of answers. Smith has since moved down to his preferred No.4 position, while Head is also better valued in the middle-order. Labuschagne is struggling for form, while Konstas and McSweeeny average 16.30 and 14.40, respectively.
2nd unofficial Test, Australia A vs Sri Lanka A
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Khawaja, who will turn 39 during the Ashes later this year, is yet to score a 50 in his last 10 innings, as the pressure piles on the selectors to assemble a well-oiled unit.
Can Weatherald be the answer to Australia's opening troubles?
Weatherald has played 72 first-class games since his debut in 2016, and also has 4,838 runs at 36.37. He was the highest run-scorer in the competition among players under 25 that season, and was the runner-up for the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year.
In 2016-17, Weatherald scored 634 runs for South Australia, and then top-scored for the side with 750 runs the following season. His recent form has been impressive too: he made 906 runs for Tasmania in the Shield last season at an average of 50.33, along with three hundreds. Only one other batter made more than 750 runs in the competition.
With the incumbent openers struggling and no one else really breaking the door down in domestic cricket, Australia might be tempted to try out Weatherald sooner or later.
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