South Australia Redbacks, Adelaide Strikers star Jake Weatherald to play for Darwin Eagles in 2021
EXCLUSIVE: Jake Weatherald terrorised the Darwin bowling line-up with a brutal ton in 2017. But Eagles players can breathe a sigh of relief – the Strikers and Redbacks star will play for the Larrakeyah-based club this year.
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JAKE Weatherald terrorised the Darwin bowling attack when he made a whirlwind 120 not out from just 86 balls for Tracy Village in his team’s win over eventual premiers Darwin in 2017.
But the Eagles will be breathing a sigh of relief in 2021.
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The destructive left-handed opening batsman – a star with Adelaide Strikers and South Australia Redbacks – will line up for the Larrakeyah-based club this year.
Weatherald, who will make his first Strike League appearance since 2017 – when he made two brilliant hundreds for Northern Tide – will play for his junior club when he comes to the Top End in the coming months as part of the Cricket365 program, an NT Cricket initiative. “Darwin is my junior club. I played there before I left to pursue my cricket career in Adelaide,” he told the NT News.
“Darwin is a great club. Even when I left they were very supportive of me. It’ll be great to be around an enjoyable group of players.
“I’ll be happy to help out wherever I can.
“Jacob Dickman has been a part of our squad at SACA, and he’s talented enough to be a part of it again if he wants to.
“And Aaron Summers has raw pace.”
Weatherald has the talent and tireless work ethic to make the next step and play for Australia. The key, he believes, is now the mental side of his game.
He will pass on the importance of mental preparation to his Eagles teammates.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of coaches on having a strong mindset. I really value it and I’ve passed on what I know to other players, because playing all three formats can be very mentally challenging” he said.
Meanwhile, the Darwin Premier League T20 competition will start on Thursday night.
Waratah will host Southern Districts at Gardens Oval, University will take on PINT at Cazalys Arena and Nightcliff will face Palmerston at DXC Arena at Marrara.
The 50-over component of the 2021 Strike League starts on June 20, with the final on July 25.
The T20 component will run over a 13-day period from August 15 to 27.
Weatherald will play for Southern Storm in these short-format games.
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