Head backs Weatherald as Australia opening partner

Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox

Cricket - The Ashes - Australia v England - Fourth Test - MCG, Melbourne, Australia - December 27, 2025 Australia’s Travis Head batting REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 - Australia batter Travis Head has endorsed Jake Weatherald as an opening partner following the South Australians rough start as a test cricketer in the Ashes.

Weatheralds batting average is a tick under 21 since his test debut in the Ashes opener in Perth, dragged down by scores of 10 and five in the four-wicket defeat to England on a tough pitch in the fourth test in Melbourne.

He showed a lot of glimpses over his first four tests, and its not always going to go your way, Head said on Sunday of Weatherald.

Theres a lot of guys that have looked like theyve been under the pump with the bat who are some of our best in our generation, so it can be a tough way to start your international career.

But I think hes a good enough player to play international cricket.

Weatherald is not the only Australian batter under the microscope, with 36-test all-rounder Cameron Greens place in the XI queried amid a poor Ashes series.

Once seen as a potential long-term number three, 26-year-old Green was demoted to number seven for the Boxing Day test in Melbourne and has not reached 20 runs in his past four innings.

Picked by selectors ahead of Beau Webster, who has superior batting and bowling averages in his seven tests, Green has managed only three wickets