Picture this: A promising cricketer steps onto the international stage, only to face a barrage of near-misses and frustrating dismissals that leave both him and the selectors scratching their heads. Jake Weatherald's Ashes debut series has been a rollercoaster of potential and disappointment—read on to discover why his journey might just spark a debate on Australia's future opening batsmen.
Jake Weatherald (https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/jake-weatherald-781285) tapped his bat against his pad in frustration as he trudged off the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). He had challenged an on-field leg before wicket (LBW) decision against Ben Stokes—a rule in cricket where a batsman can be out if the ball would have hit the wicket, but the umpire thinks it would have—glancing up at the giant screen for a replay with hope in his eyes. Unfortunately, the call stood firm, and it wasn't a blatant error (often called a 'howler' in cricket slang), so the chances of overturning it were slim. The ball was clipping the leg stump, meaning it was just brushing the wicket on the leg side.
Earlier in his inning, Weatherald had received two reprieves within three deliveries—a testament to the unpredictable nature of the game. First, Joe Root dropped a difficult catch above his head at first slip while Weatherald attempted to slash at a short-pitched ball, and then Ben Duckett missed an easier one at square leg off a pull shot that didn't stay down. Yet, he couldn't capitalize on these gifts. Out for 21 runs, with possibly one more inning left in his introductory series on a pitch that might prove challenging, Weatherald ended with 167 runs at an average of 20.87. About half of those runs came from a single standout performance at the Gabba.
But here's where it gets controversial: The revolving door of Australia's opening batsmen seems endless, raising questions about whether the selectors are repeating past mistakes.
This very ground saw the beginning of Australia's carousel of opening partners two years ago with David Warner's final Test match. Ignoring Scott Boland's brief nightwatchman stint at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), seven different players have filled that position across 20 Tests since Warner hung up his boots.
Up until this series, Usman Khawaja (https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/usman-khawaja-215155), who is wrapping up his Test career batting in the middle order, had been the constant element. Weatherald was slated to be his sixth opening companion—after Steven Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head (https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/travis-head-530011)—but back spasms in Perth flipped the script, paving the way for Head's pivotal series performance (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-2025-26-1455609/australia-vs-england-1st-test-1455611/full-scorecard).
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Root Takes Centre Stage Before Head Leads Response
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Comparing Weatherald's performance, Steven Smith managed an average of 28.50 in eight innings as an opener, McSweeney 14.40 in six, and Sam Konstas 16.30 in ten. Weatherald's total in this series exceeds Ben Duckett's by seven runs and falls just 16 short of Ben Stokes. He's handled the pressure admirably, even joking on social media after the MCG Test about signing more autographs than the runs he'd scored—a fun way to show he's staying positive amidst the challenges.
Weatherald's entry into Test cricket was unusually chaotic. Expecting to partner Khawaja in Perth, he instead shared the crease with two different teammates in a single match: first Labuschagne, then Head. He narrowly avoided a 'pair' (being out for zero in both innings of a match) after being LBW by Jofra Archer in his opening inning but bounced back to contribute to a crucial 75-run opening partnership that helped chase down the target.
His strong start at the Gabba yielded 72 runs off 78 balls, capitalizing on England's (https://www.espncricinfo.com/team/england-1) deliveries to his cut shot. They seemed poised to repeat that tactic here with erratic new-ball bowling from Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts. Given how England bowled after his exit, Weatherald is probably feeling even more regretful about not sticking around.
And this is the part most people miss: A recurring pattern in Weatherald's dismissals that might reveal deeper technical flaws exposed in a grueling five-match series.
A five-Test series like the Ashes allows bowlers to relentlessly target opponents, uncovering and exploiting weaknesses over time. On the second day at the SCG, Weatherald was LBW for the fourth time in nine innings, though he could have saved himself by reviewing in Adelaide's second inning. Two of these were from over the wicket (bowling from the side of the leg stump), and two from around the wicket (from the off side). His first inning in Melbourne also saw him caught behind off a ball down the leg side, playing across the crease—a common mistake where the batsman moves too far.
His other outs included a top edge to the off side, a gloved pull shot, and shouldering arms in the MCG's second inning. In total, six of his dismissals this series came from around the wicket.
"If you observe Jake Weatherald, he's crouching lower in his stance with his head well outside his feet," remarked Justin Langer on Channel 7. "This forces him to balance on his right foot, a typical issue for batsmen with misaligned heads, leading to frequent falls. You can spot it repeatedly—head forward, stance low. LBW in Perth, Adelaide, and now here, especially on fuller balls where his head is too far over, making it tough to drive down the ground, which is key for openers aiming to score freely."
Weatherald wasn't alone under the spotlight entering this Test; Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green were also scrutinized, which is rare for a team leading 3-1. Labuschagne squandered a solid start by edging to gully for 48, and Green is still awaiting his chance, likely batting at No. 8 after Michael Neser was promoted as nightwatchman (a lower-order batsman sent in to protect specialist batsmen at the end of the day).
This series wasn't expected to unearth a permanent opening duo for Australia, given Khawaja's impending retirement, but the outcome has been surprising from the start. By the close of the second day at the SCG, Head became the first batsman to surpass 500 runs in an Ashes series since Smith in 2019, and the only one ever at a strike rate over 75. It seems if Head desires the role, it's his for the taking, now shifting the focus to who will bat alongside him.
Weatherald's inclusion in this series was well-earned. He excelled as the top domestic opener last season, delivered for Australia A, and began this season strongly. He'll head back to the Sheffield Shield for Tasmania later this summer, with possible county cricket opportunities if interest arises, but there's a long gap until Australia's next Test against Bangladesh in August. This gives both Weatherald and the selectors ample time to reflect on these past six weeks.
What do you think—should Australia stick with Travis Head as opener, or explore more options despite the revolving door? Is Weatherald's technique fixable with coaching, or is it time for fresh faces? Share your controversial takes in the comments below—do you agree with the selectors' choices, or see a counterpoint we missed?
