Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald failed to improve his chances of a Test debut for the upcoming Ashes opener in Perth, dismissed for 23 on day one of the Sheffield Shield contest against South Australia in Hobart.
The left-hander, hoping to press his case for a spot in Australia’s starting XI for the first Test against England, chopped on after flashing at a short delivery from seamer Liam Scott, throwing his head back in frustration before marching off the field.
Weatherald, the leading run-scorer of last summer’s Sheffield Shield, earned a maiden national call-up for the Ashes after starting his season with a trio of fifties for Tasmania. However, the 31-year-old has since posted scores of 0, 12 and 23 in the Sheffield Shield, potentially damaging his chance of receiving a coveted baggy green in Perth.
National selectors may consider reinventing the in-form Marnus Labuschagne as an opener to make room for all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster in the middle order.
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Elsewhere in the Sheffield Shield, New South Wales speedster Mitchell Starc created an early breakthrough against Victoria at the SCG, trapping young opener Harry Dixon with a brutal toe-crusher, gone LBW for 20. Earlier, Blues captain Steve Smith was left red-faced after a butchered coin toss fell limply to the deck, something he’ll need to practice before the Perth Test.
The NSW starting XI features multiple Australian representatives, including Sam Konstas, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Nathan Lyon, Smith and Starc.
Aussie hopeful fails to press case for Ashes call-up; Smith’s comical toss blunder – Shield Wrap – fox sports
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