Usman Khawaja may have met his match in an opening partner who is just as outspoken as he is. Jake Weatherald, newly endorsed by Khawaja, laughed off the veteran’s delayed backing for him to play in the Ashes series this summer. Khawaja has now thrown his support behind Weatherald to face England’s formidable new-ball attack in the series opener in Perth, emphasizing that opposition 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? It’s always Marnus scoring runs at three, Steve Smith at four, Travis Head at five. At the moment, that’s our best side,” Khawaja told Fox Cricket on Thursday. This lineup would mean only one of Cameron Green or Beau Webster could play, with Weatherald opening alongside Khawaja following his maiden Test call-up this week.
Weatherald humorously noted Khawaja’s earlier support for Queensland teammate Matthew Renshaw. “He didn’t have me in four days ago,” Weatherald remarked with a smile in Hobart. In a light-hearted interview on The Grade Cricketer podcast, he quipped, “I don’t think Khawaja knows my name, to be honest with you.” Khawaja joined in the fun, responding to an Instagram clip of the interview with, “Who this?”
The Dynamic Duo: Khawaja and Weatherald
Australia’s new opening pair, often referred to as an “odd couple,” will aim to tackle England’s Jofra Archer and Mark Wood on seam-friendly pitches as effectively as they handle their online banter. The two left-handers have faced each other over the years in the Sheffield Shield and have played together in three T20 matches for Khawaja’s Brisbane club side, Valley, when Weatherald was out of favor in Tasmania two summers ago. Despite their past encounters, they have never batted together.
“We’re probably fundamentally a little bit different in the way we go about batting and the way we move,” Weatherald explained. “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.”
Weatherald has been seeking advice from Khawaja on handling pressure and preparing for Test matches. Khawaja has been complimentary of Weatherald’s recent domestic form, which saw him amass 906 runs on challenging batting 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,” Khawaja praised. “The wickets were green, and he found a way to score runs both leg-side and off-side. He’s very strong square of the wicket – cut shot, pull shot – but he also knows how to score down the ground.”
Weatherald’s Journey to the Ashes
Weatherald’s journey to the Ashes is a testament to perseverance and resilience. His viewing of the 2005 Ashes was a pivotal moment, inspiring the then 10-year-old in remote Darwin to pursue a career in cricket. However, setbacks with form slumps and mental health challenges delayed his path to international cricket during his eight years in South Australia. He also spent almost the entire first season in Tasmania out of their Shield team.
Committed to a more consistent approach with the bat, Weatherald has honed his skills over several years in what he calls 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. I think now it’s just doubling down on that and backing that in,” he stated.
Weatherald’s adaptable style is a key asset. “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 to do what I think is right at the time. I’m just going to try to repeat that in Test cricket,” he said. “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.”
Looking Ahead: The Ashes Series
The upcoming Ashes series promises to be a thrilling contest as Australia fields a squad that blends experience with fresh talent. The first Test is scheduled for November 21-25 at Perth Stadium, followed by matches at The Gabba, Adelaide Oval, MCG, and SCG. The series will test the mettle of both seasoned players and newcomers like Weatherald.
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
The inclusion of Jake Weatherald in the squad marks a new chapter for the player, who has overcome numerous challenges to reach this point. As the series unfolds, all eyes will be on how he and Khawaja perform against England’s pace attack. With a blend of humor, skill, and determination, Australia’s new opening pair is ready to make their mark on the Ashes stage.
