If there’s one thing Aussie cricketers know, it’s that Ashes dreams don’t come cheap. You need runs—big, loud, attention-grabbing runs. And Jake Weatherald? He just dropped 183 of them like a mic in Darwin against Sri Lanka A. With the Ashes less than four months away, and Australia’s top order still a puzzle, Jake Weatherald’s latest century couldn’t have come at a better time. Suddenly, the man with the flowing cover drive and Darwin grit is in the conversation for a spot on the plane to England.
Timing is Everything — And Weatherald’s Clock is Spot On
Weatherald’s career has always hinted at something more. Flashback to his Sheffield Shield heroics last summer: he piled up 905 runs, topping the charts with match-winning knocks against Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. But runs in domestic cricket don’t guarantee Ashes selection—not unless you back it up on higher platforms.
Andrew McDonald had just stated that Australia’s opening positions were open after a lackluster performance against the West Indies. That was the green light for Weatherald. We watched before, the benign Marrara pitch with Weatherald flaying anything outside off, showing good footwork against the spinners, and showing restraint when he needed it. His 209-run partnership with Jason Sangha displayed maturity, temperance, and a hunger for big runs; all the stuff you need when the Duke’s ball is doing crazy things in England.
Consistency Counts: Weatherald’s Red-Ball Renaissance
Weatherald’s recent purple patch hasn’t been a flash in the pan. His Shield campaign was nothing short of dominant, and he carried that rhythm into the Australia A fixtures. Just last week, he punched out a promising 54 in the first four-day clash. Back-to-back contributions like these send a simple message: this isn’t luck; this is form.
For a player who has frequently been assessed through the lens of limited-overs (remember his BBL stints?), this red-ball renaissance is huge. Weatherald is not just a slogger who clears the infield; he is becoming a full opener who is red-ball ready. And that matters when you’re going after the Ashes, where patience and grit are often valued more than flair.
More importantly, the Australian setup values players who can transition from state cricket to higher levels seamlessly. Weatherald’s seamless jump from the Shield to Australia A, facing quality international opponents like Sri Lanka A, proves he’s not just feasting on domestic attacks—he’s stepping up when the bar is raised.
Still No Calls, But Confidence is Sky-High
Interestingly, despite the runs, Weatherald revealed there’s been no direct call from the selectors yet. But that doesn’t seem to faze him. As he put it, “If you keep making runs, of course, you’re going to get noticed more.” And he’s not wrong. Runs are the ultimate currency in cricket, especially when selectors are looking for dependable openers.
With a few months still left before the first Ashes Test on November 21, there are more auditions to come, including potential Australia A tours and domestic fixtures. Weatherald’s form, confidence, and experience—he’s 30, no rookie—make him an attractive option if the current top order doesn’t fire.
Plus, let’s not forget: he’s Darwin-born, and there’s a certain resilience that comes from the Northern Territory heat. If there’s ever a crucible to shape your mental toughness, it’s growing up batting in the tropics. Jake Weatherald has done what any aspirant should—let the bat do the talking, and it’s been shouting from the rooftops. A Baggy Green cap might still be a few steps away, but he’s made the selectors’ job harder to ignore.
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