Weatherald Pushes Test Case with Big Century as Teen Prodigy Peake Impresses for Australia A

Jake Weatherald has declared himself "ready" for a potential Test debut after posting a commanding 183 for Australia A, while 18-year-old Oliver Peake continued to turn heads with a composed 92 in just his second first-class match. Their performances came in a high-scoring draw against Sri Lanka A in the second unofficial Test in Darwin.

The Australia A top order dominated at Marrara Cricket Ground, amassing 558 for 4 declared, led by a career-best unbeaten 202 from captain Jason Sangha. With only ten wickets falling across four days, the conditions were clearly batter-friendly, but the selectors will still take notice of Weatherald’s and Peake’s contributions.

Weatherald Stakes Ashes Claim

Veteran Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald believes he’s ready for the Test arena after a prolific 12 months with the bat. The 30-year-old was the leading run-scorer in last season’s Sheffield Shield, tallying 905 runs at an average of 50.33, including three centuries. His latest innings of 183 followed a solid 54 in the first four-day match of the series.

“If you keep making runs, of course you're going to get noticed more — and I've done that,” Weatherald said. “I'm batting well, and I think I'm ready to go if it comes to that moment.”

Weatherald credited his late-career consistency to experience and a deeper understanding of his game.

“Just age, getting used to what I'm doing... understanding what I need to do to make runs and bat long periods of time,” he said. “Just being able to lock in and do my thing.”

Sangha praised Weatherald’s clarity and preparation, noting his consistency and technical improvements. “He’s made his strengths even stronger and has addressed the areas that used to cost him,” Sangha said. “He's in a really clear space, and it’s been a pleasure to watch him go about his business.”

Peake Turns Heads Again

At the other end of the age and experience spectrum, Oliver Peake’s emergence continues to generate excitement. The teenage Victorian followed up a first-class debut fifty in March with 92 against Sri Lanka A, showing remarkable maturity and composure at the crease. Earlier in the tour, he also made 55 not out from 38 balls on his List A debut for Australia A.

Peake’s calm presence and tactical awareness stood out to Sangha. “He’s got so much maturity for a young player... such an exciting talent,” he said. “He carries himself so well. At 18, I wasn’t even close to that level of maturity.”

The selectors’ faith in Peake is evident — he was picked for Australia A despite limited first-class experience and was part of the Test squad's recent tour of Sri Lanka as a development player. He is now tipped to join Australia A's upcoming tour of India, gaining early exposure to subcontinental conditions ahead of the 2027 Test tour.

While the placid Darwin pitch may temper some of the excitement around the raw numbers, the standout displays by both Weatherald and Peake have added fresh intrigue to Australia’s red-ball depth — and could shape future Test squads, starting with the Ashes later this year.