Jake Weatherald put up a dominant display in the SL A vs AUS A second four-day match, scoring a clinical 183 to strengthen his case for an Ashes Test debut. On home soil at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin, the left-hand opener used a mix of grace and resilience in a 275-ball innings in which he hit 16 boundaries and two sixes.
A 209-Run Stand with Jason Sangha Lights Up the Match
Weatherald had no company in his dominance. With Australia A captain Jason Sangha, who was unbeaten on 121, the two put together an impressive 209-run third-wicket partnership. Their association was preceded by a previous 134-run second-wicket partnership between Weatherald and Kurtis Patterson (59), taking Australia A from 76/1 to 379/3 at stumps on Day 3 in their reply to Sri Lanka A’s daunting 485/6 declared.
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Ashes Selection Buzz: Weatherald a Top Contender From SL A vs AUS A
This knock could not have come at a better time for 30-year-old Weatherald, who is making a compelling argument for selection in Australia’s Test side for the upcoming home Ashes series. His latest century was his 13th in first-class cricket and comes on the back of a prolific Sheffield Shield season, where he led all scorers with 905 runs, including three big hundreds (186, 155, and 145).
Having scored 54 in the opening unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A, Weatherald’s current form puts additional pressure on current openers after a disastrous tour of the West Indies, where veteran Usman Khawaja averaged 15.37 and his young partner Sam Konstas managed 8.33.
Both failed to contribute, raising grave concerns before the Ashes
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Captain Jason Sangha, also, is continuing to impress. His 121, not out, is his third first-class century in a series of five innings since the end of the domestic season. The form of Sangha is also reassuring for selectors on the lookout for depth and stability in the Australian middle order.
Other Contenders and Series Context
While Nathan McSweeney had improved his Ashes prospects with a 94 in the first match, he struggled in the second match with only 12. With the flat Darwin track rendering a result improbable, and the series to finish 0-0 after a draw in the initial game, the central point of discussion is individual performance, especially that of Weatherald.
Final Thoughts: Selection Spotlight on Weatherald
With Australia’s opening opportunities under the spotlight, Jake Weatherald’s display in SL A vs AUS A is a timely reminder of his ability and maturity. His talent for constructing large innings, playing all around the field, and converting form between formats can get him into the national Test team as the selectors look to set up for a definitive Ashes summer at home.
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