Jake Weatherald: Northern Territory’s First Test Cricketer Takes on the Ashes Challenge

A Historic Debut for Darwin’s Jake Weatherald

Jake Weatherald received his first senior national call-up in November 2025, when he was named in Australia’s squad for the opening Test of the home 2025–26 Ashes series against England in Perth. This landmark moment marked the 31-year-old left-handed opener as the first Darwin-born cricketer to represent Australia at Test level, a significant achievement for Northern Territory cricket.

In 2024-25, he played every game for the Tigers and was the Shield’s standout batter, scoring 906 runs at 50.33, to surge into Ashes contention. His outstanding Sheffield Shield performances for Tasmania, combined with a commanding 183 for Australia A against Sri Lanka A in Darwin in July, earned him selection for cricket’s most prestigious series.

Navigating a Challenging Test Debut

When David Warner handed Jake Weatherald his long-coveted Baggy Green on the Perth Stadium outfield on Friday morning, the veteran Sheffield Shield opener struggled to keep his emotions in check, saying “all I wanted to do was just scream when I got it and just jump up and down.” However, his Test debut proved more challenging than the emotional presentation suggested.

Scores of 0, 23, 72, 17*, 18, 1, 10 and 5 have left him averaging just 20.85 through four Tests. Despite the modest returns, Travis Head believes his opening partner Jake Weatherald is a good enough player to handle international cricket long-term after showing glimpses across a challenging first four Tests in the Ashes.

Support from Teammates and Future Prospects

Weatherald has shown flashes of his capability at the highest level, particularly during a match-turning stand where he put on 75 with another new partner, Travis Head. His opening partner has remained supportive throughout the challenging series, recognising that Test cricket presents difficulties even for established players.

With the likes of Matt Renshaw and Sam Konstas waiting in the wings, he needs a big score at the final Test in Sydney this week to extend his tenure. The pressure is mounting, but Weatherald’s journey from Darwin’s local grounds to representing Australia at Test level demonstrates the resilience that has characterised his decade-long domestic career.

A Long Road to International Recognition

Weatherald’s path to Test cricket was far from straightforward. Two seasons earlier, he had spent almost a full summer on the outer in his new state, Tasmania, after leaving South Australia following eight seasons of service. His persistence through challenging periods, including taking time away from cricket for mental health reasons in 2020, makes his Test selection all the more remarkable.

As the Ashes series reaches its conclusion, Weatherald faces a crucial test of his international credentials. Whether he can convert his domestic success into consistent Test performances remains to be seen, but his selection has already inspired the Northern Territory cricket community and demonstrated that pathways to international cricket exist even from Australia’s most remote regions.