South Australia opener is the most frequent ton machine in JLT Cup history but wants more.
HE’S the most frequent ton machine in JLT Cup history — Jake Weatherald is flying towards higher honours after another matchwinning knock for South Australia against New South Wales in Perth.
- Weatherald stars as Redbacks rout Blues
- No excuses: Siddons demands one-day glory
- Leadership on radar but Trav just wants baggy green on head
HE’S the most frequent ton machine in JLT Cup history — Jake Weatherald is flying towards higher honours after another matchwinning knock for South Australia against New South Wales in Perth.
A limited overs call-up against South Africa beckons in November after Weatherald’s fourth one-day ton in 15 digs steered the Redbacks to a tournament-opening, seven-wicket blitz of the Blues.
“I do enjoy one-day cricket, white ball cricket is fun and I think it is luck the draw the tons have come quickly,” said modest Weatherald, with a one-day average of 51.
Weatherald has reached three figures from 26.67 per cent of his 15 JLT Cup innings, bettering New South Wales’ Daniel Hughes three tons in 16 starts. Australian strokeplayer Usman Khawaja has seven JLT Cup centuries in 16.7 per cent of his 42 matches. Brad Hodge blazed 20 one-day tons at 14.6 per cent of his 137 innings for Victoria while legendary opener Matt Hayden plundered eight at 13.11 per cent of his 61 innings for Queensland.
However, Test great Ian Healy is already pondering if super-fit Weatherald “can be in the first Test team against India”.
“You are just trying to make hundreds and help your team win,” Weatherald told The Advertiser.
“It is in the back of your mind if you do well you could go up for selection but if you get ahead of yourself everything goes backwards.
“You have stay calm and when you get your opportunity be ready for it.”
Opener Matt Renshaw, all-rounder Hilton Cartwright and keeper-batsman Alex Carey all used winters with the National Performance Squad in Brisbane to achieve international selection within 12 months. NPS coach Chris Rogers was chosen to iron out the only fixable flaw in Weatherald — finetuning forward defence and overt aggression to make the 23-year old a consistent first-class force.
“I have been working on it all pre-season. To get opportunity to prove it, walk the walk, not talk the talk and make some runs I am pretty happy with it,” said Weatherald, benefiting from a compact approach with minimal head movement.
Selectors love big game players with natural confidence and Weatherald — who loves fishing with close mate Carey — fits the bill. A brilliant 115 in Adelaide Strikers grand final win against Hobart Hurricanes, 116 in last year’s JLT Cup elimination final against Victoria and dual half-centuries in the 2015-16 Sheffield Shield decider against the Bushrangers marked Weatherald’s ticker.
“When you grow up you want to be the one the win games for your team,” said Weatherald, who made 765 Sheffield runs at 38.2 last season including two centuries.
“You need to have one matchwinner a game and Thursday night was my job. A couple of early wickets meant it fell to me to do it.”
Weatherald paid tribute to Jake and Darren Lehmann for support roles in a decisive knock at the WACA.
Jake Lehmann, stand in skipper with Travis Head on Test duty, posted a career-high 87 in the third highest, one-day third-wicket partnership of 171 for South Australia with Weatherald. Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann’s advice on mental ‘relaxation’ and saving your best for the crease proved pivotal.
“Lehmo took a lot of pressure off me with his highest score in one-day cricket. He was calm like his old man, played every shot, he has found his niche at No. 4,” said Weatherald who dispatched his 10th boundary off Sean Abbott to reach a glorious ton in Perth.
Saturday’s clash against a Western Australian attack featuring gun pace trio Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Joel Paris and Test all-rounder Ashton Agar will provide a serious test noted Top End export Weatherald.
“They do have a very good attack, it’s what you want to do as a batter, take down the best attack. It could be the game of the tournament,” said Weatherald.
“We are here to win games and hopefully create some mental scars before the finals.”
Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 2 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T & Cs apply.