Weatherald’s Tough Ashes Chapter Continues at the SCG
If you’re looking for a moment that summed up Jake Weatherald’s Ashes series so far, day two at the Sydney Test probably delivered it. Australia were chasing England’s first-innings total of 384, the sun was still out, Travis Head was batting fluently at the other end, and yet again, Weatherald just couldn’t turn a start into something meaningful.
England had finally been bowled out earlier in the day, with Joe Root’s latest century once again anchoring their innings. When Australia began their reply, the mood was cautiously optimistic. The pitch looked reasonable, the scoreboard pressure was manageable, and the opening stand needed to set the tone. Head did exactly that, playing with confidence and intent, while Weatherald was left to scrap, survive, and hope.
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It wasn’t pretty. Weatherald looked uncomfortable almost from the start. There were play-and-misses, thick edges, and moments where his balance seemed slightly off. England’s bowlers, particularly Matt Potts and Brydon Carse, kept probing at his stumps, and that familiar weakness kept showing. On more than one occasion, he was a heartbeat away from walking back early. In fact, he was dropped, edging a simple chance that should have ended his stay much sooner. For a brief moment, it felt like luck might finally be on his side.
But as has been the theme of this series, the reprieve didn’t last. Ben Stokes eventually got his reward. A delivery jagged in, struck Weatherald on the pads, and after a brief review, the verdict stayed with the umpire. Umpire’s call, clipping leg stump. Out for 21. Again.
As Weatherald walked off, the numbers told a sobering story. Nine innings into his Test career, he’s managed just 167 runs at an average of 20.87. That’s a decent enough sample size for selectors, and it doesn’t make a strong argument for persistence. His best return since the opening Test at the Gabba remains that same modest score in Sydney, and even this knock felt more like survival than control.
To be fair, the pressure was eased somewhat by Travis Head, who continued to bat with freedom and confidence at the other end. But Test cricket is ruthless, and patience only stretches so far. This was another tough lesson for Weatherald, another opportunity that slipped away.
As Australia pushed on, the question lingered louder than ever: how many more chances will be afforded? For Jake Weatherald, this Ashes series is quickly becoming a harsh introduction to the unforgiving standards of international cricket.
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