Usman Khawaja may have met his match in a new opening partner who is just as outspoken as he is. Jake Weatherald, the Tasmanian batsman, has been humorously dealing with Khawaja’s delayed endorsement for the upcoming Ashes series against England. The veteran cricketer finally backed Weatherald to face England’s formidable new-ball attack in the series opener in Perth.
Khawaja has publicly supported Weatherald’s inclusion, suggesting that England’s captain Ben Stokes would least like to see Marnus Labuschagne batting at number three. “If I was the English captain, what team wouldn’t I want (Australia to field) – and it’s always Marnus scoring runs at three, (Steve) Smith four, (Travis) Head five. At the moment that’s our best side,” Khawaja told Fox Cricket on Thursday.
This lineup would mean a choice between Cameron Green and Beau Webster for a spot, leaving Weatherald to open with Khawaja after his maiden Test call-up. Weatherald had previously noted Khawaja’s support for Queensland teammate Matthew Renshaw, jokingly remarking, “He didn’t have me in four days ago,” during a press conference in Hobart.
From Banter to Partnership
The camaraderie between Khawaja and Weatherald was evident during a lighthearted exchange on The Grade Cricketer podcast. Weatherald quipped that Khawaja might not even know his name, to which Khawaja humorously responded on Instagram with, “Who this?” Despite their playful banter, the two left-handers are serious about their task ahead, aiming to tackle England’s Jofra Archer and Mark Wood on seam-friendly pitches.
The pair have crossed paths in the Sheffield Shield and played together in T20 matches for Khawaja’s Brisbane club side Valley. However, they have never batted together, with Weatherald usually in the middle order and Khawaja opening.
Contrasting Styles, Common Goals
Weatherald acknowledges the differences in their batting styles. “We’re probably fundamentally a little bit different in the way we go about batting and the way we move,” he said. “I’m pretty conscious about making sure that I’m clear about what I’m doing as a batter. For me, it’s just maintaining what I’m doing.”
Despite these differences, Weatherald has sought advice from Khawaja on handling the pressures of Test cricket. Khawaja, in turn, has praised Weatherald’s recent domestic performances, highlighting his ability to score runs on challenging surfaces during last summer’s Sheffield Shield.
“He’s a terrific player. What he’s done – conditions last year were pretty hard at Shield cricket and he was a standout,” said Khawaja.
Weatherald’s Journey to Test Cricket
Weatherald’s journey to international cricket has been marked by challenges and perseverance. Watching the 2005 Ashes as a 10-year-old in Darwin inspired him to pursue a cricket career. However, form slumps and mental-health struggles delayed his progress during his time in South Australia.
After moving to Tasmania, Weatherald spent much of his first season out of the Shield team. But he has since committed to a consistent approach, learning from his experiences in the “university” of Sheffield Shield cricket.
“I’ve put in a lot of work to become consistent in first-class cricket and find a way that I feel works,” Weatherald explained. “If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out, I’m happy with that. I know that I’m trying my absolute best when I walk out there to bat.”
Adapting to the Test Arena
Weatherald describes himself as an adaptable player, ready to adjust his game according to the team’s needs. “The way I operate is probably around being attacking. But at the same time, I’m not too preconceived about what I want to do,” he said. “If I have to lock in and bat a day and score 50 runs because that’s the best thing for the team in the conditions, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Looking Ahead to the Ashes
The 2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes series is set to kick off with the first Test at Perth Stadium on November 21. The Australian squad for the first Test includes notable names such as Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Nathan Lyon, alongside Khawaja and Weatherald.
The series promises to be a thrilling contest, with Australia looking to field their best side against a competitive England team. As Khawaja and Weatherald prepare to open the innings, their partnership will be crucial in setting the tone for Australia’s campaign.
2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes Schedule:
- First Test: November 21-25, Perth Stadium, 1.30pm AEDT
- Second Test: December 4-8, The Gabba, Brisbane (D/N), 3.30pm AEDT
- Third Test: December 17-21: Adelaide Oval, 11am AEDT
- Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne, 10.30am AEDT
- Fifth Test: January 4-8: SCG, Sydney, 10.30am AEDT
As the series approaches, all eyes will be on Khawaja and Weatherald to see if their on-field partnership can match their off-field chemistry. Their ability to handle England’s bowling attack will be pivotal in Australia’s quest to retain the Ashes.
