logo
Weatherald puts name in Ashes reckoning with big hundred

Weatherald puts name in Ashes reckoning with big hundred

Sydney, July 22 (UNI) Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald's 13th first-class century has ensured he will be part of the Ashes selection conversation after putting Sri Lanka A to the sword in Darwin.
Just a week after Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald said his openers for the first Test against England weren't locked in, Australia A's Weatherald blitzed 183 to continue to build his case for a baggy green on November 21.
On a docile Marrara pitch, the Darwin-born left-handed opener had some nervous moments as he approached his milestone and had to sit on 96 not out over the lunch break. A quick single off quick Shiran Fernando brought up his century, which he celebrated by placing his helmet on the end of his bat and raising it above his head, much to the delight of his teammates.
The 30-year-old crashed everything outside off for four and was selective in his big shots against the spinners and was only out, chopped on, in the final overs of the day.
He shared a 209-run partnership with his captain Jason Sangha, who not to be outdone, finished the day unbeaten on 121 as the hosts reduced the Lankans' lead to 106 runs with a day to play.
Sangha hit a series of delightful drives in his typically innings, which will no doubt ease the pain of making a duck in last week's four-day fixture.
Weatherald is coming off the best summer of his career where he finished as the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield, plundering 905 runs with centuries against Queensland (186), Victoria (155) and New South Wales (145).
That led to a promising 54 on Australia A debut in the first four-day match last week, and when met with another favourable batting surface ensured he took full toll against the visiting Sri Lankans.
"As a batter, you're trying to put yourself forward to play for Australia. That's why we're here," Weatherald said after play on day three.
"It's why you play domestic cricket. Making runs is your best currency to getting higher honours.
"It was a good opportunity to make a big score and thankfully, I made one today."
In the wake of last week's Test series win over West Indies, Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed there was still plenty to play out before the selectors settled on their openers for the
Ashes.
"It feels as though we're still a little bit unsettled in terms of what our combinations look like at the top of the order with the way that the performances have gone here (against West Indies)," McDonald said after the Caribbean red-ball matches.
"There's a lot of cricket still to come to be able to gather that information."
Weatherald admitted the selectors hadn't been in touch with him about the prospect of higher honours but was heartened by his selection in the Australian A side.
"If you keep making runs, of course, you're going to get noticed more. And I've done that," Weatherald said.
"I'm batting well and I'm ready to go if it comes to that moment."
Earlier, the Aussies resumed the day on 1-76 and NSW No.3 Kurtis Patterson compiled a composed 59 before Sonal Dinusha took a sharp catch at backward point from a full-blooded square drive.
However with no demons in the Marrara wicket, it was a day for the batters with Australia A chalking up 2-203 for the day, in reply to Sri Lanka A's commanding 6d-485.
UNI BM
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

David Popovici clinches his second world title
David Popovici clinches his second world title

United News of India

time2 hours ago

  • United News of India

David Popovici clinches his second world title

Fukuoka, July 29 (UNI) Romania's Olympic champion David Popovici produced a breathtaking finish to clinch his second world title in the men's 200m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships here on Monday, stopping the clock at 1:43.53. Popovici, the gold medallist from the Paris 2024 Olympics, surged past American swimmer and six-time world medallist Luke Hobson in the final 50 metres to seal the top spot. Hobson, who had won bronze at the Doha Worlds last year, claimed silver this time with a personal-best time of 1:43.84. Japan's Murasa Tatsuya stunned the field with a sensational final burst to grab bronze in 1:44.54, narrowly edging out 2024 world champion Hwang Sunwoo of South Korea. Speaking after the race, a beaming Popovici said, 'I think \\\\\\\\[this feels] even better than the Olympics. I trained a lot for the Olympics but this coming from a more relaxed year, I am very proud of myself.' The 19-year-old Romanian's calculated race strategy and explosive finish marked another milestone in his already glittering career, adding further depth to an event that continues to produce thrilling contests at the global stage. UNI BDN GNK 1708

Matthew Hoggard mulls over Oval: ‘It's been hard graft for bowlers on both sides, but we score quicker than India, so…'
Matthew Hoggard mulls over Oval: ‘It's been hard graft for bowlers on both sides, but we score quicker than India, so…'

Indian Express

time3 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Matthew Hoggard mulls over Oval: ‘It's been hard graft for bowlers on both sides, but we score quicker than India, so…'

Ashes hero Matthew Hoggard emerged from his barbecue kitchen of the restaurant he runs, after hearing Joe Root talk about the 2005 batch inspiring England. Recalling all memories, good, bad, and deeply embarrassing from that series 20 years ago, he said Oval could get suitably exciting all over again when India look to level the series with a win and England aiming for 3-1. Hoggy preceded the Bazball era, while still playing interesting cricket without a label, but shared the present day crinkle nosedness for a draw – especially at the Oval. 'It's going to be survival of the fittest and it reminds me of 2005. You can't go to The Oval and play for a draw because you'll come unstuck if the mentality isn't right,' he told Hoggy's advice for the English was to make their batting sing given bowlers on both sides were expected to be knackered. 'In an ideal world we (them England) bat first, go big and put India under pressure to match us or go past us. England have more gears in the batting line-up than India, especially if they are going to be without Rishabh Pant. It's been hard graft for bowlers on both sides, but we score quicker than India and if they have to put their foot down to chase the game, that's when The Oval can be a tricky customer,' he told Recalling what brought him out of his apron and away from plating at his kitchen, Hoggard narrated how Joe Root's words had an impact after he became second highest Test run getter. 'Listening to Joe being interviewed, after he had just become the second-greatest run scorer of all time in Test cricket, saying he had been inspired by the Ashes winners of 2005 was music to my ears. That's why we play cricket – to leave a legacy, and leave something behind to inspire younger generations, still gives you goosebumps. I think back to 2005 with 10,000 people being turned away from the final day at Old Trafford, people bunking off work or school to watch the finale at The Oval and, yes, it was the best of times,' a nostalgic Hoggy said. However getting ahead to the Open top bus might prove foolhardy for England. Back then, the celebrations had been heady. 'When I look at footage of the open-top bus parade to Trafalgar Square, and none of us look sober, in the social media age we would probably have been crucified but I genuinely can't remember anyone giving us any stick. We went round the Prime Minister's house a bit worse for wear, went to Trafalgar Square for the parade a bit bleary-eyed and went back to Lord's for a reception in a state of disrepair – but nobody minded because we were winners.' The nerve-jangling climax in 2005, as described by Mirror, was only settled by Kevin Pietersen's audacious 158 on the final afternoon. 'We had gone 2-1 up at Trent Bridge in an unbearably tense finish when I was hiding under towels and trembling in the physio's room, unable to watch as the wickets fell as we chased 129 to win,' Hoggard who is now working as one of the UK's leading Motivational Speakers, told Mirror Sport. His workhorse bowling had played its part but it was his batting that makes the highlights reels. 'But when it was my turn to bat, with 13 runs still needed and Brett Lee's bowling 95mph rockets, you switch on and it gets easier – because you're the one who is empowered to take charge and get the job done,' he recalled. 'Lee was either trying to kill me or york me, but when he got one wrong and I managed to send it to the extra cover boundary I think Vaughany (captain Michael Vaughan) nearly fell off the balcony. I'm not sure he'd ever seen me hit an extra cover drive before,' he said in a hoot to Mirror. 'As Ashley Giles, who hit the winning runs, and I walked off, he said, 'Enjoy the moment, we're kings for the night.' He was right – our pace attack was called the Fab Four but it was really a fab five because Gilo was the forgotten man of that bowling unit. He was immense. when we got to The Oval for the final Test, the nerves took over again. The night before I was out for dinner with my wife and I was so uptight I called for the bill and walked out. My head was all over the place, I'm afraid I was a bit of a t**t.' At Old Trafford England's pace attack had been denied on the field for 143 overs as they chased victory in vain at Old Trafford, which brought on the comparisons with the 2005 Manchester Test. Back then, in the third Test, Ricky Ponting had hit 156, and Lee and Glen McGrath held on for 371-9 with Flintoff snaring 4, and captain Punter dismissed in 104th over of 108 bowled, frustrating England bowlers unable to get the Aussies. However this time, England have only the Oval Test to bank on, and no Messrs Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff, Jones.

'Australia For Ashes': How England's 'Whining' In Manchester Test United Indians And Aussies
'Australia For Ashes': How England's 'Whining' In Manchester Test United Indians And Aussies

News18

time3 hours ago

  • News18

'Australia For Ashes': How England's 'Whining' In Manchester Test United Indians And Aussies

Last Updated: Indian cricket fans have come out in numbers to extend their support to their arch-rivals Australia in their upcoming Ashes Test series against England. The England team, led by Ben Stokes, has faced the fury of cricket fans from across the globe. When the hosts seemed en route to a famous Test series over India in Manchester, the visiting squad rose to the occasion. India posted 358 in their first innings, which was overshadowed by the English batters who, in response, scored a towering 669. Still two days left in the fourth Test, India had a disastrous start to their second innings. First, Yashasavi Jaiswal departed for a duck, then Sai Sudharsan took the long walk back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers when he was dismissed on the very next delivery. Chris Woakes was the culprit. With a scorecard reading 0/2, the worry grew by the minute in the Indian camp. The fans at Old Trafford sensed an imminent defeat. The tense situation, however, was stabilised by KL Rahul and India captain Shubman Gill. KL steadied the ship with a patient 230-ball 90, and as for the skipper, Gill notched up his fourth century in the five-match Test series. The duo stitched an incredible partnership of 188 runs, but the final day of the fourth Test once again brought worry on the faces of anxious Indian supporters. Fortunately for India, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja stood their ground and left the ground with their respective centuries, as India avoided a series defeat in Manchester. The draw was celebrated far and wide, for India had displayed immense courage with the bat despite being 300+ runs in deficit. However, the moment was also marred by the England team's willingness to call it a day an hour ahead of the schedule. England and Stokes proposed ending the match early with a handshake, as a draw seemed inevitable, and the hosts were justified in expecting to conclude proceedings. However, India declined, with Jadeja and Sundar nearing their well-deserved milestones, sparking online buzz when England players visibly reacted on the field to the refusal. Cricket pundits, fans, and commentators alike questioned why the hosts were 'whining" about India's decision, fueling discussions across the internet. Many, including the great Sunil Gavaskar, lambasted Stokes and his clan. 'Everything cannot be done according to what the England team wants. This is yet another example of that old syndrome: when we do it, it's right; when the opposition does the same, it's wrong. Those days are long gone, and no one, least of all the Indian team, is going to simply accept it," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar. Unlikely Union Such was the condemnation towards England's antics on the field that even supporting one of their biggest rivals, Australia, seemed like the best thing to do for the Indians. Since the conclusion of the Manchester Test between England and India, the desis (and the rest of the world) have come out in numbers to join the England slander and also extend their support for the Aussies in their upcoming Ashes Test series against the same opponent. 'England are so hated everyone is supporting us? I've woken up in a parallel world and I'm not sure how I feel about it," a user on X wrote. 'I've never wanted Australia to win an Ashes series this badly," wrote another. Seeing Indians, South Africans and other fans around the world hoping for a 5-0 Australia win in the Ashes. — CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) July 29, 2025 We're all supporting Australia in the Ashes?— Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) July 28, 2025 I never thought I would root for Pat Cummins. But – gonna support him and Australia to the core in upcoming Ashes. Maro ye angrezi saloo ko, 5-0 se kam nahi hona chahiye— edho formality ki (@no_posting_guy) July 27, 2025 Ashes Schedule England will tour Australia later this year for the blockbuster series The Ashes, 2025-2026, where they will play five Test matches against Pat Cummins's men. Nov 21 – Nov 25: Perth Stadium, Perth Dec 04 – Dec 08: The Gabba, Brisbane Third Test Dec 17 – Dec 21: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Fourth Test Dec 26 – Dec 30: MCG, Melbourne top videos View all Fifth Test Jan 04 – Jan 08: SCG, Sydney Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : ashes view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 29, 2025, 16:49 IST News explainers 'Australia For Ashes': How England's 'Whining' In Manchester Test United Indians And Aussies Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store