- August 8, 2025
Let’s not fool ourselves, the Ashes are as good as it gets in cricket, and based on the vying for the opening position for Australia, it has a subtle hum of pressure behind it. While all the drama and fanfare surround the big players, one guy is making very loud noise without all the noise: Jake Weatherald. The Tasmanian left-hander has steadily scored runs and been on the radar of the Australian selectors, and if he keeps rolling, he may crash the party this summer with the Ashes looming. So, who is this guy, and why do we care? Let’s have a look.
The Form Factor: Consistency Is King
If you’re an opener, you want runs, runs, and more runs if your opener has a modicum of common sense. What’s Weatherald’s claim to fame this season? Topping the Sheffield Shield charts with 906 runs, he then hammered a statement 183 for Australia A, as if to say, “Yes, I really am that good.” That is a statement innings for Australia A in a match that had some significance.
Bailey’s phrasing puts it plainly: it’s all about the current form. Bailey commended Weatherald, noting that he’s doing many things right, especially with his solid performances last season and in Australia A matches. The selectors are looking for players doing it consistently. Weatherald’s objective now will be to keep it going before the metrics (or even the Ashes) take the liberty of ending it. In a sport where form can be delicate, Weatherald is rising.
The Competition: A Crowded Batting Order
It’s not like Weatherald’s running this race alone. The opening slot is one of the toughest positions to secure, and Australia has options. There’s Sam Konstas, the young gun fresh from a tough Caribbean tour, and the experienced Usman Khawaja, who brings a calm head and a solid track record.
Konstas, just 19, is bouncing back from a rough patch with determination — he’s got more Shield games and a stint in India lined up to prove himself. Khawaja, meanwhile, is that reliable veteran who selectors often lean on. Weatherald’s edge? His recent form and that powerful innings in Darwin show he’s ready to take on the big stage. Bailey’s selection strategy is smart: looking not just at who’s in form now, but who can build for the next two to five years. Weatherald fits neatly into that long-term vision.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next for Australia’s Openers?
Beyond just the Ashes, Australia is planning for the future. Bailey’s talk about tours to India in 2027 and giving players experience in subcontinent conditions shows the selectors are playing the long game. Weatherald’s current performances make him a strong candidate to be part of that future.
And let’s not forget the team dynamics. Australia recently made a surprising call by dropping Nathan Lyon for a pace-heavy attack in the West Indies — something Bailey says is unlikely to happen again. The selectors want balance, and having dependable openers like Weatherald would help set the tone at the top, giving the rest of the team a solid platform.
Weatherald’s story is a classic underdog tale — quietly making runs, flying under the radar, and suddenly finding himself knocking on the national team’s door. The big question is, can he keep this form going when the Ashes heat up?
What do you think? Could Weatherald be the next big opener to watch this summer? Drop your thoughts and let’s chat!
