Weatherald, who was reared in Darwin, had a successful first-class career in South Australia before being pulled from the Sheffield Shield team due to a form slump and mental health issues.
However, since moving to Tasmania, the 31-year-old has amassed 1391 runs at 53.5 from his last 15 first-class matches, giving him a chance to lead Australia’s batting lineup this summer.
Weatherald stated in Hobart on Friday that “playing for Australia is the hardest thing to do in Australian sport.” “It was always a goal that occasionally seemed a little bit unattainable.
“But at the same time, I think I became at ease with myself and realized that I would be prepared to leave if I took advantage of my opportunities and did the right things at the right times. You have to pinch yourself.
“As a kid in Australia, you grow up wanting to play professional sport; representing Australia in cricket is the highest honour, and something that I’ve aspired to my whole career.”
Weatherald will be paired with Usman Khawaja at the top if selectors choose to choose him. Khawaja caused a stir last week when he strongly supported Matt Renshaw, a teammate from Queensland, to be called up for the Australian team.
With Khawaja completely behind the newest member of the Australian team, Weatherald, who was out for coffee with friends when George Bailey called with the good news, shrugged off the remarks. With a “Who this?” response to a video of Weatherald’s chat with the Grade Cricketer, Khawaja joined in on the fun.
Weatherald remarked, “He didn’t have me in four days ago,” in response to the question of whether Khawaja was now supporting him to play. “You have the support of someone like that who has played a lot of Test and first-class cricket.
“He is a highly regarded cricket player in our community and has scored numerous hundreds for Australia. At some point, I would be thrilled to collaborate with him.”
Khawaja stated in an interview with Fox Cricket on Thursday: “He has been knocking on doors. He’s a fantastic cricket player, and I’ve played against him a lot. He excelled despite the challenging circumstances at Shield Cricket last year.
The ability of all-rounder Cameron Green to bowl enough overs in Western Australia’s upcoming Shield match could determine Weatherald’s chances of making the starting lineup. After regaining his form after being benched for the three Test matches in the West Indies, Labuschagne will most likely return.
In the Caribbean, Green batted at number three, but if he can prove that he is a true all-rounder, he may go down to number six to make room for Labuschagne and Weatherald as an opener.
However, selectors may still choose to open with Labuschagne, like he did in the World Test Championship final.
‘Dad’s Army’ taunts are directed at Green because he is the only player in Australia’s team under thirty. However, Weatherald feels certain that his maturity as a cricket player is the only reason he gets considered for Australia.
According to Weatherald, “people laugh about it, talking about the old team that we have.” However, I believe that the greatest blessing is that we have all grown as cricket players.
“We’ve reached a stage in our careers where we know how to handle the expectations of playing first-class cricket, as well as how to handle the media. I hope that puts me in a good position.
Although Weatherald will bring his natural game to Test cricket, he is also prepared to adapt. Bailey mentioned Weatherald’s upbeat approach with the bat during the selection announcement, which the selectors have been searching for since David Warner’s retirement.
“I think the way I operate is probably around that [being positive],” he stated. However, I don’t have any predetermined notions about what I want to do. I feel flexible. I don’t think of myself as a one-gear player. I believe I am capable of doing a variety of things.
“I’ll do what’s best for the team and the circumstances if it means I have to lock in, bat a day, and score fifty runs. However, I will undoubtedly seize the opportunity if it presents itself.
Weatherald, who described the 2005 Ashes as “his first fond memory of cricket,” is also sure that he can handle any challenge that Ashes cricket presents.
“I think so, in terms of my mindset,” he replied. “I believe that I have a good understanding of both how to prepare for playing cricket and how to handle the pressure that comes with it. I have never participated in it. All I’ve done is gaze in from the outside. The stresses and upcoming events will undoubtedly be severe. On the other hand, I simply see it as a fantastic chance to participate. And whatever occurs, occurs. Simply put, being a part of it will be awesome.
“You know, the media, the Barmy Army, all that sort of stuff is going to be a pretty incredible experience.”
India
