Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald failed to improve his chances of a Test debut for the upcoming Ashes opener in Perth, dismissed cheaply 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 for 23 after flashing at a short delivery from seamer Liam Scott, throwing his head back in frustration before marching off the field.
The leading run-scorer of last summer’s Sheffield Shield, Weatherald earned a maiden national call-up for the Ashes campaign 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.
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To make room for all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster in the middle order, national selectors may consider reinventing the in-form Marnus Labuschagne as an opener, partnering Queensland teammate Usman Khawaja. But Wesbter, who recently admitted he was at risk of being “squeezed out” of the Test side, was later dismissed by South Australian quick Henry Thornton at Bellerive Oval after gloving a wayward delivery down the leg side.
Tasmania was 5-171 at tea on day one.
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 for 20. He later removed opener Campbell Kellaway and young gun Oliver Peake during a ruthless bumper barrage during the afternoon session.
Jack Edwards put down a regulation chance at first slip to gift Victorian veteran Peter Handscomb an extra life on 0, which proved an expensive error as the right-hander survived through to tea unscathed on a team-high 58. The tourists were 4-176 during the break.
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. NSW opener William Salzmann was substituted out of the match due to a hamstring tear he sustained in the outfield, replaced in the starting XI by Ryam Hicks.
The NSW starting XI features multiple Australian representatives, including Sam Konstas, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Nathan Lyon, Smith and Starc.
