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Jake Weatherald, the opening batter for Tasmania, got picked in the Australian 15-member squad for the five-match Ashes Test series against old enemy England at home, beginning on November 21. In his latest interview, when the 31-year-old was asked about how he would handle the pressure of such a big series, which gets fiery at times, to which he sounded quite unflustered and remarked that he will embrace the sledging from England fans, especially the Barmy Army.
Notably, after being one of the most impressive top order batters in Sheffield Shield competition while playing for the last 18 months for Tasmania, Jake Weatherald forced his way into the Australia Test squad for the first-time in his career. He is now in line to make his Test debut at the Optus Stadium in Perth in the first Test match as the opening partner of veteran Usman Khawaja.
The left-handed batter, who finished last season of the Sheffield Shield as the top scorer with an average in excess of 50, started the 2025-26 season with three fifties in six innings including a 94 for Tasmania. In response to the question about the pressure of being a part of the Ashes series, he was quoted as saying, as per ABC Sport, “I don't really know, to be fair. I can be pretty reserved at times, but I can be pretty fiery as well.”
Being sledged by the Barmy Army would be one of the greatest moments of my life: Jake Weatherald
“It'd be funny. I'm sure if someone starts saying stuff to me, I probably can't hold myself back, but at the same time, I'm not going to go out looking for it. I'll just take it on for what it is and every moment is going to be a cool experience. Being sledged by the Barmy Army would be one of the greatest moments of my life,” added Jake Weatherald, who is excited about the opportunity to compete at the Test level for Australia this season.
Moreover, he was told about a confirmed place in the Australian squad for the Ashes series by chief selector George Bailey a day after his 31st birthday just before the announcement went public.
