The Ashes 2025-26: Jake Weatherald is one Test match away from Cricket Australia contract trigger
The benefits of a strong start in the baggy green are adding up quickly for one fresh face in the Test side.
A bright start in the baggy green is poised to deliver new Australian opener Jake Weatherald a financial windfall.
Weatherald is a nigh-on certainty to be selected for the third Test in Adelaide after his maiden half-century and unbeaten cameo at the Gabba.
By playing in Adelaide, his third Test, Weatherald will hit the trigger for an automatic Cricket Australia national contract.
The CA contract points system is based on international appearances and triggers for non-contracted players after they reach 12 points.
A Test match is valued at five points while a white-ball game is worth two.
A Cricket Australia contract starts at $353,000 and covers the gap between what the player was previously earning at domestic level.
With domestic contracts maxing out at $200,000, any player who reaches the Cricket Australia trigger can expect a pay rise of at least $153,000.
Weatherald hit 72 and 17 not out as Australia claimed the second Test on Sunday night.
Australian No.3 Marnus Labuschagne said Weatherald’s ascension had been a benefit to the entire batting unit.
“‘Weathers’ has come in for the first time and just the way he has gone about it as well has just set the tone at the top,” he said.
“And I just feel like that momentum is dripping through to the rest of the order.”
Mitch Owen also hit the trigger for a Cricket Australia contract offer through a high number of white-ball appearances against West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand and India this year.
Owen burst into the Australian side after a mesmerising Big Bash League season and has already played 13 Twenty20s and three One-Day Internationals since July.
Originally published as The Ashes 2025-26: Jake Weatherald is one Test match away from Cricket Australia contract trigger
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