Weatherald puts forth Ashes credentials with aggressive knock in a game where batting has been tough work in Hobart.
Weatherald’s aggression opens route to Ashes selection.
In his fight for a Test debut in the Ashes series, Jake Weatherald suffered a new setback despite missing his century.
On day two of the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia in Hobart, the Tasmanian opener sped to 94 off just 99 balls before getting caught in the deep hooking.
No other player on the challenging Bellerive Oval track reached 41 until Jordan Silk (51 not out) late on day two, although he had made 18 of the hosts’ first-inning total of 171.
Rain briefly halted play before stumps were scheduled to be called, and Tasmania was 244 for 5.
The 30-year-old left-handed Weatherald, who finished first on the Shield run-scorers’ list last year with 906 runs at an average of 50.33, is still eligible to be called up for the first Ashes Test.
The more reserved Usman Khawaja, who is virtually guaranteed one opening slot at Optus Stadium against England next month, might benefit greatly from his powerful strokeplay, especially square of the wicket.
In his quick knock on Thursday, Weatherald, a bright young player at South Australia who has rekindled his career with a transfer south, hit 13 fours and a six.
It happened after the visitors had gained a one-run lead in the first innings and had started the day at 107 for 4, losing 3 for 3 at one point to be all out for 172.
Jackson Bird and Riley Meredith both finished with three wickets, and Brad Hope went through the tail.
In Tasmania’s second innings, Matthew Kelly (3-47) was the best bowler for Western Australia.