Latest news with #JakeWeatherald
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
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
‘Dominant' Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson chosen for Australia A
Batsmen Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have been rewarded for 'dominant' 2024-25 Sheffield Shield seasons with selection in an Australia A squad for a five-match multi-format series against Sri Lanka A next month in Darwin. Tasmania's Weatherald was the competition's highest run-scorer with 906 at average of 50.33. Patterson averaged 57.15 in scoring 743 runs for NSW, while Sangha, who was part of South Australia's Shield winning team, scored 704 runs at an average of 78.22. 'Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition,' national chairman of selectors George Bailey said. Apart from Patterson, the other players in the squad with Test mach experience are SA skipper Nathan McSweeney and Queensland batsman Matthew Renshaw, while Tasmania paceman Billy Stanlake and NSW wicketkeeper Josh Philippe have represented Australia in white-ball cricket. Selectors did not consider players with existing overseas opportunities in choosing the squad for a series to be made up of three 50-over one-day games and two four-day matches. An Australia A captain is yet to announced. 'We're looking forward to playing an Australia A series in Darwin and experiencing the unique Northern Territory winter climate which allows for a variety of conditions,' Bailey said. 'We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series. 'Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw.' Australia A: Sam Elliott (VIC), Matt Gilkes (NSW), Bryce Jackson (SA), Campbell Kellaway (VIC), Nathan McSweeney (SA), Jack Nisbet (NSW), Mitch Perry (VIC), Kurtis Patterson (NSW), Oliver Peake (VIC), Josh Philippe (NSW), Matt Renshaw (QLD), Jason Sangha (SA), Liam Scott (SA), Billy Stanlake (TAS), Henry Thornton (SA), Jake Weatherald (TAS), Australia A v Sri Lanka A series in Darwin July 4: 50-over match, Marrara Cricket Ground (D/N) July 6: 50-over match, Marrara Cricket Ground
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tassie opener continues hot run, Vics set testing chase
Tasmania's Sheffield Shield pacesetter Jake Weatherald has blazed another big century to put the heat on Victoria ahead of a final-day run chase in Hobart. The hosts began their second innings 22 runs behind Victoria, but the former South Australian opener turned the tables with a blazing 155 off 212 balls on Monday as the Tigers made 291. Victoria, second on the Shield ladder with three rounds remaining, were 2-55 at stumps on day three at Bellerive Oval. They need a further 215 to deny the last-placed Tigers just their second win in the seventh match of the season. Weatherald found some support from Jake Doran (33) and debutant No.9 Raf MacMillan (47 off 42), whose bright innings came to an unfortunate end when he miscued a juicy Harry Dixon full toss. Weatherald clattered 20 boundaries in his innings, lathering drives through point and cover, and latching on to anything short with sweetly timed pull shots that sounded like cannons echoing around the Bellerive stands. He was the last man out, his crisp knock following 185 against Queensland in November to put him on top of the Shield run-scoring list this season. Fergus O'Neill and Peter Siddle both finished with 3-63 and Will Sutherland picked up 2-63. Opener Marcus Harris (1) was an early casualty in the chase, trapped in front by Gabe Bell. Bell (2-22) then dismissed Campbell Kellaway (31) in similar fashion, Jon Merlo and Sam Elliott the unbeaten pair at stumps.
