Head Backs Weatherald to Succeed at Test Level Despite Tough Ashes Start

Travis Head has thrown his support behind opening partner Jake Weatherald, saying the left-hander has shown enough in his debut Ashes series to prove he can handle the demands of Test cricket over the long term.

Weatherald, 31, earned his maiden Test call-up in Perth after an outstanding 18-month run for Tasmania and Australia A. However, his first four Tests at international level have delivered mixed returns, with flashes of promise tempered by an inability to convert starts.

Across eight innings, Weatherald has scored 0, 23, 72, 17*, 18, 1, 10 and 5, leaving him with an average of 20.85. While the numbers are modest, he has reached double figures in five innings and shared two half-century opening stands with Head, who has batted alongside him in seven of those knocks.

“I think he’s a good enough cricketer for international cricket,” Head said on Sunday. “I think he showed a lot of glimpses over his first four Tests, and it’s not always going to go your way.

“There are plenty of guys who have looked under pressure early on and gone on to be some of the best in our generation. It can be a tough way to start your international career, but I think he’s a good enough player to play international cricket.”

Weatherald’s dismissals have often come in unusual or unfortunate ways. He has been trapped lbw three times by full, straight deliveries at high pace, including one that pitched clearly outside leg stump and went unreviewed despite Head’s urging. He has also fallen victim to short balls directed into the armpit, top-edging attempted pulls.

In Melbourne, Weatherald was caught behind off a faint glove while glancing down the leg side in the first innings, before being undone by a superb delivery from Ben Stokes in the second. From around the wicket, Stokes produced late seam movement to clip the outside edge of Weatherald’s off stump after the batter made a last-second decision not to play. On an MCG surface that yielded 36 wickets in two days, Head felt it was difficult to be critical of such a dismissal.

Despite the frustrations, Head said Weatherald has looked assured at times, singling out his 72 in Brisbane as a key contribution.

“I felt like he set the ball up really well,” Head said. “The runs haven’t been there in the last couple of Tests, but he played a crucial innings for us in Brisbane. Over a series, you look for moments that can help win you games, and he was able to do that there.”

While Weatherald has searched for consistency, Head has been one of Australia’s standout performers. Player of the series in the 2021–22 Ashes, Head has again delivered decisive contributions — this time from the top of the order. Prior to the current series, Usman Khawaja had scored Australia’s only opening century in 14 Tests, with seven players tried in the role. Head has now struck two centuries in seven innings as an opener in this Ashes.

Head confirmed he will continue opening for the final Test at the SCG, although he remains uncertain about his long-term position beyond the series, with Australia not scheduled to play Test cricket again until August 2026 after Sydney.

“I see myself as the team’s opening batter for the series,” Head said. “Then we’ve got a long gap to piece together where the team wants to go.

“I’ve felt quite good at the top. I feel like I’m batting well and lining the ball up nicely. I think I’ve been able to do a job for the team and put us in good positions.”

Asked what message he would give selectors about his future role, Head was unequivocal.

“Put me exactly where you want to put me to win a cricket game,” he said. “I’ve got full confidence in wherever they see me fitting in. Whatever is best for the team, I’m more than happy to do.”