Latest news with #JakeWeatherald
Int'l Cricket Council
7 days ago
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Weatherald throws in name for Australia opening spot for Ashes ICC World Test Championship
Jake Weatherald has been knocking on the door for senior selection with consistent performances in domestic cricket. He topped the run charts in last year's Sheffield Shield with 905 runs at an average of 50.33, including three centuries. Weatherald carried that form into the Sri Lanka 'A' series, notching up scores of 54 and a commanding 183 in the two matches. With a mountain of runs piled up in domestic since his debut in 2016, Weatherald's consistency will be hard to ignore. The 30-year-old has scored 5021 runs in 73 first-class matches at an average of 37.47, and will have his name in the hat for a senior call-up ahead of the Ashes later this year. "If you keep making runs, of course you're going to get noticed more, and I've done that," Weatherald said after his innings of 183 against Sri Lanka 'A'. "Obviously there's some great candidates there as well, and they've earned their right to be there. "So to be amongst them is a pretty proud moment. "But I'm batting well, and I think I'm ready to go if it comes to that moment." Weatherald's form comes at an ideal time for Australia, who may be eyeing fresh options at the top of the order following a dip in form during the recent Test series against West Indies. Despite Australia recording a 3-0 series sweep and leading the World Test Championship standings with 36 points, concerns remain around the top order. Usman Khawaja managed only 117 runs across three matches at an average of 19.50, while youngster Sam Konstas struggled with just 50 runs at 8.33. Their partnership reached double figures only thrice, while on two occasions, Australia lost a wicket without a run being scored. The opening pair reached double figures only three times, with Australia losing a wicket for zero on two occasions. With his experience and recent consistency, the 30-year-old Weatherald could be a timely solution, especially as he feels more assured in his game than ever before. "Just age, getting used to what I'm doing, understanding my game, understanding what I need to do to make runs and bat [for] long periods of time," Weatherald added on what has made him tick recently. "And just being confident I can do it in any conditions, just believing that I've got the right method and sticking to it throughout my innings and not being taken away by the wicket or the situation. "Just being able to lock in and do my thing." There's still time for both incumbents and challengers to stake their claim for the opening spot, with four rounds of Sheffield Shield action in the new season before the Ashes begins on 21 November.
News.com.au
22-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Jake Weatherald scored 183 opening the batting for Australia A against Sri Lanka
Ashes hopeful Jake Weatherald has built further momentum to his Test push with an exquisite century for Australia A in Darwin. The reigning Sheffield Shield player of the year clubbed 16 fours and two towering sixes on his way to 183 against Sri Lanka A after Australian coach Andrew McDonald put the Test opening spot out to tender in the wake of Sam Konstas' dismal West Indian adventure. He was seemingly poised to hit a maiden first class double ton before dragging on with less than 10 minutes before stumps. Weatherald, 30, is among a handful of openers preparing to contend for Ashes spots later this year and enhanced his chances with the bold dig. He out-batted fellow Test aspirants Nathan McSweeney (12) and Kurtis Patterson (59) before sharing a 209-run partnership with emerging gun Jason Sangha (121no). Sangha has earmarked himself as a future star of Australian cricket in the past six months, supporting a Sheffield Shield final ton in March with his century for Aus A. Weatherald's innings adds to a career-best Shield season where he topped the run chart with 906. The Tasmanian spoke exclusively to this masthead prior to the Australian A series in Darwin. He said he was watching the Aussie top order closely but conceded a lot had to go right for him to earn a baggy green. 'Most would be lying if they said it wasn't on their mind, especially with all the stuff going on in the Australian team, there's opportunities being provided to those who are doing well,' he said. 'I am not sure what the future holds, I've still got to take a lot more opportunities but from a belief point of view I believe I am good enough to play. 'At the same time I have to prove that with performances in the Australia A stuff and have to have a bit of luck as well, other players might have to miss out for me to come in. 'Everything has to sort of work out, move the right pieces at the right time, but to be this close is an amazing feeling anyway to be suggested I could be around that mark.' Weatherald's knock is a precursor to what is being dubbed 'a great Ashes bat off' in the early parts of the Shield season. Australian coach Andrew McDonald has repeatedly said the opening rounds of the summer will hold considerable weight in first Test selection. 'We're not going to shy away from the fact that will be big for certain individuals to go about their work, put some scores on the board, and, and then for us to look at what we need against England,' McDonald said. Australia A finished the day 106 runs in arrears of Sri Lanka's first innings total.
News.com.au
03-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Jake Weatherald on his journey, Australian Test ambitions and how he's taken his game to a new level
He's 30 years of age and has been around Australian cricket for nearly a decade – but Jake Weatherald feels he's closer than ever to living out his dream. It was this feeling and a mountain of runs in last summer's Sheffield Shield which led him to India's spin friendly conditions. It's been a long and arduous road for the left-handed opener but he has since emerged from left-field as one of the batters nipping at the heels of the Australian top six. Weatherald is part of a budding group taking on Sri Lanka in a series of matches in the Northern Territory which starts on Friday. Prior to the Aussie A series – and in hope of a greater nod – Weatherald took himself to the subcontinent, to train and acclimatise to the unique conditions. It was there he prepared himself in 'body and mind' for the proposition of playing for Australia. 'I'm always looking to develop; it's sort of a curse and a blessing at the same time,' Weatherald said. 'I felt as though the way I played pace bowling was really good this year … If I do the right things I am confident I can face high quality bowling and score from it, playing spin was an area I was never really able to give a lot too. 'The opportunity to practice against spin bowling was a big draw to go over to India but also to develop a method that would be good in spinning conditions. 'So if I do go away and play an A series in India, or a Test match, I am not just sitting there going, 'I've never been here before, I have no experience in spinning conditions'. 'It was to ready my body and mind to have all bases covered if there ever was an opportunity.' Weatherald topped the Shield run charts last summer and hit them at the second-best strike of any other recognised batter. He credits his career-best form to 'a combination of things' – but orders experience and mental clarity above all else. That progression, Weatherald says, has allowed him to understand his game and become comfortable with the risk of getting out. 'As a cricketer you're sort of daunted and restricted by getting out,' he said. 'I think what experience has given me is if you do shut down and don't look to put pressure on good bowling, especially how the wickets have come in Australia. 'They've come quite conducive to new ball bowling and bowling in general, if you're not willing to put pressure on bowling you're just going to find a way to get out. 'If I'm able to even score off good balls I feel as though the bowlers think, 'My margin for error is really small here'. 'It's keeping it a little bit simple, always looking to score in my areas but also if the day is on where I am scoring quickly not shutting myself down and going, 'Oh, I shouldn't be scoring this quickly, I've got to bat for long periods of time'. 'If the opportunity is there, I am going to take it – no matter if it's the first ball of the game or if it takes me 30 balls to score, my mindset is the same.' Weatherald has taken the road less travelled to Australia A selection. He was out of the South Australian setup, prioritising his mental health, before taking in a sea change in Tasmania. Amid those ups and downs, Weatherald says he has always held ambitions to play for Australia. 'I think cricketers are rated on how they play Test cricket, I've always been driven to play as much red-ball cricket as I possibly can and just had to figure out a way of doing that,' he said. 'It's a hard battle to find the balance between being a white-ball cricketer or red-ball cricketer and then the expectation of being successful, playing for Australia. 'It's self-sabotaging at times, you don't want to be too focused on the end point when if you're not good enough at the starting point you're not going to get there. 'For me, it was: 'Let's focus on what I can control and that's the way I train, the way I go about my game. From there hopefully everything else takes care of itself, if I don't play for Australia or don't go on to do anything else, that's fine, at least I tried the right things.' Weatherald is watching the Aussies closely and is buoyed by the opportunities presented to those performing. He concedes a lost must go right for him to earn one more promotion – but is confident he can take that chance if it's ever offered. 'Most would be lying if they said it wasn't on their mind, especially with all the stuff going on in the Australian team, there's opportunities being provided to those who are doing well,' he said. 'I am not sure what the future holds, I've still got to take a lot more opportunities but from a belief point of view I believe I am good enough to play. 'At the same time I have to prove that with performances in the Australia A stuff and have to have a bit of luck as well, other players might have to miss out for me to come in. 'Everything has to sort of work out, move the right pieces at the right time, but to be this close is an amazing feeling anyway to be suggested I could be around that mark.'
Courier-Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Courier-Mail
Drop-in pitches laid down as international cricket to return to Darwin for first time in 17 years
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News. Cricket fever is ramping up in the NT with tickets going live for the return of the international game in August, as two drop-in wickets have been installed at TIO Stadium. International cricket was last played in Darwin 17 years ago when Australia took on Bangladesh, but this year the team finally returns for two blockbuster T20s against South Africa. Fans will have the chance to book the best seats in the house for the matches on August 10 and 12 at Ticketek with thousands already expressing interest on pre-sales. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $5 for children and $43 for families of four. Prior to that series the Australia A side, featuring Territorian Jake Weatherald, will take centre stage against Sri Lanka in July. The Australia A series will feature three 50-over games and two four-day matches, with free entry for general public attendance and all matches streamed live on Kayo Sports and People, Sport and Culture minister Jinson Charls and Jake Weatherald as TIO Stadium's drop-in pitch is laid down. Weatherald was the leading run scorer in the Sheffield Shield with 906 runs and is the all-time leading run scorer for the Adelaide Strikers, with recent exposure to TIO at last year's Top End Series. 'I'm just immensely proud to be a Territorian and get to play for Australia in some facet, it's going to be cool to play on the ground as it's such a great facility,' he said. 'I watched test cricket here long ago when I was a young kid so to be back here representing myself is a critical moment for me. 'The stuff that has been done to support the growth of NT cricket is exciting and to have the teams coming that we do will be cool for Territorians to see, they've been starving for a long time now. 'For young Territorians it's good representation of what you can aspire to be, you don't always get that so hopefully it inspires a lot of kids to play more cricket and aspire to play for Australia.' People, Sport and Culture minister Jinson Charls and NT Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey as TIO Stadium's drop-in pitch is laid down. NT Cricket chief executive Gavin Dovey said it was an exciting year for the sport in the Top End following the recent visit from the Australian women's side. 'The installation of the two drop in wickets marks a significant milestone in the return of international cricket,' he said. 'International cricket offers the Territory a platform few sports can rival, thanks to its huge global audience and economic impact. 'Closer to home, cricket sits at the heart of Australia's national identity, so we can't wait to see a packed out TIO Stadium in August.' People, Sport and Culture minister Jinson Charls said the drop-in pitches was a critical step toward delivering world-class matches to the NT. 'In our year of action, certainty and security, we're incredibly proud to welcome international cricket back to the Territory and demonstrate that Darwin has the capability to host world-class sporting events,' he said. People, Sport and Culture minister Jinson Charls, Major Events minister Marie-Clare Boothby, NT Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey and Jake Weatherald as TIO Stadium's drop-in pitch is laid down. Major Events, Tourism and Hospitality minister Marie-Clare Boothby said major sporting events like international cricket provide a real boost to the Top End. 'Major events like the Australia v South Africa T20s bring huge energy to our region, boosting tourism, business and community pride,' she said. 'We are proud our government has brought back international cricket to the NT for the first time in 17 years. 'Events like this draw fans from across the country, and we look forward to seeing supporters from near and far pack TIO Stadium.' Originally published as Drop-in pitches laid down as international cricket to return to Darwin for first time in 17 years
Herald Sun
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Drop-in pitches laid down as international cricket to return to Darwin for first time in 17 years
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News. Cricket fever is ramping up in the NT with tickets going live for the return of the international game in August, as two drop-in wickets have been installed at TIO Stadium. International cricket was last played in Darwin 17 years ago when Australia took on Bangladesh, but this year the team finally returns for two blockbuster T20s against South Africa. Fans will have the chance to book the best seats in the house for the matches on August 10 and 12 at Ticketek with thousands already expressing interest on pre-sales. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $5 for children and $43 for families of four. Prior to that series the Australia A side, featuring Territorian Jake Weatherald, will take centre stage against Sri Lanka in July. The Australia A series will feature three 50-over games and two four-day matches, with free entry for general public attendance and all matches streamed live on Kayo Sports and Weatherald was the leading run scorer in the Sheffield Shield with 906 runs and is the all-time leading run scorer for the Adelaide Strikers, with recent exposure to TIO at last year's Top End Series. 'I'm just immensely proud to be a Territorian and get to play for Australia in some facet, it's going to be cool to play on the ground as it's such a great facility,' he said. 'I watched test cricket here long ago when I was a young kid so to be back here representing myself is a critical moment for me. 'The stuff that has been done to support the growth of NT cricket is exciting and to have the teams coming that we do will be cool for Territorians to see, they've been starving for a long time now. 'For young Territorians it's good representation of what you can aspire to be, you don't always get that so hopefully it inspires a lot of kids to play more cricket and aspire to play for Australia.' NT Cricket chief executive Gavin Dovey said it was an exciting year for the sport in the Top End following the recent visit from the Australian women's side. 'The installation of the two drop in wickets marks a significant milestone in the return of international cricket,' he said. 'International cricket offers the Territory a platform few sports can rival, thanks to its huge global audience and economic impact. 'Closer to home, cricket sits at the heart of Australia's national identity, so we can't wait to see a packed out TIO Stadium in August.' People, Sport and Culture minister Jinson Charls said the drop-in pitches was a critical step toward delivering world-class matches to the NT. 'In our year of action, certainty and security, we're incredibly proud to welcome international cricket back to the Territory and demonstrate that Darwin has the capability to host world-class sporting events,' he said. Major Events, Tourism and Hospitality minister Marie-Clare Boothby said major sporting events like international cricket provide a real boost to the Top End. 'Major events like the Australia v South Africa T20s bring huge energy to our region, boosting tourism, business and community pride,' she said. 'We are proud our government has brought back international cricket to the NT for the first time in 17 years. 'Events like this draw fans from across the country, and we look forward to seeing supporters from near and far pack TIO Stadium.' Originally published as Drop-in pitches laid down as international cricket to return to Darwin for first time in 17 years
