Hampshire prospect Joe Weatherley has spoken of his disappointment at being unable to cap his debut as England Under-19 captain with a century in the drawn Youth Test against Australia at the WACA.
His 68 at the top of England’s second innings helped the tourists draw the four-day international match in Perth, the final day of which was washed out by heavy rain. The Shawford-based opener had to play a real captain’s innings after England, dismissed for 172 and trailing by 273 runs on first innings, had to battle to save the game.
“It was good to make a contribution for the team in an important situation in the game,” Weatherley explained. “Australia declared an hour before close on day two, leaving us a difficult 15 overs or so to face but as we managed to get through, it made it easier for myself and the rest of the lads to play as the new ball had been negotiated. It wasn’t a particularly fluent 68, but more a scrap to bat time for the team and help save the game. I was very disappointing to get out the over before lunch (on day three) and it’s always frustrating to get caught down the leg side. I was a bit unlucky. I should have gone on to make 100-plus as I'd done the hard yards of getting in and, as the pitch was getting flatter and flatter, it would have been ideal to cash in and score a big 100 and save the game.”
The start Weatherley gave to the second innings enabled England to close day three at 342-5, a slim lead of 59 with five wickets intact. Although England weren’t in the driving seat, Weatherley – deputy head boy at King Edward VI School in Southampton – was disappointed rain washed out the final day.
He added: “It was disappointing we couldn't get onto the field and save the game through our own right. Also, it would have been nice to bat for a session and a half or two and then have a crack at the Aussies and take a few scalps.”
Weatherley, who will also captain England in the upcoming series of ODIs, praised Hampshire team-mate Brad Taylor, who took 3-78 in 22 overs as Australia amassed a formidable 455-7. "As normal, Brad bowled with good control, despite the ball not really turning a great deal at the WACA.,” Weatherley continued. “He gave us an option to bowl at one end into the wind and rotate the seamers from the other. It took a while for him to be rewarded for his efforts with the ball, but he eventually managed to pick up three wickets.”
Weatherley said he would treasure that “special feeling” of captaining England in Australia.
“It was a very special feeling walking out to the WACA, leading my country and receiving my England Under-19 cap from Graeme Hick on the first morning of the Test. “I loved playing at the WACA. It was great to experience the world famous nets and pitch - definitely a bit more pace, bounce and carry than back home in England !” he chuckled.
Leg spinner Mason Crane, the third Hampshire youngster on the trip, could get his first taste of international action when England U19s open their series of ODIs against Australia in Bunbury on Monday.
His 68 at the top of England’s second innings helped the tourists draw the four-day international match in Perth, the final day of which was washed out by heavy rain. The Shawford-based opener had to play a real captain’s innings after England, dismissed for 172 and trailing by 273 runs on first innings, had to battle to save the game.
“It was good to make a contribution for the team in an important situation in the game,” Weatherley explained. “Australia declared an hour before close on day two, leaving us a difficult 15 overs or so to face but as we managed to get through, it made it easier for myself and the rest of the lads to play as the new ball had been negotiated. It wasn’t a particularly fluent 68, but more a scrap to bat time for the team and help save the game. I was very disappointing to get out the over before lunch (on day three) and it’s always frustrating to get caught down the leg side. I was a bit unlucky. I should have gone on to make 100-plus as I'd done the hard yards of getting in and, as the pitch was getting flatter and flatter, it would have been ideal to cash in and score a big 100 and save the game.”
The start Weatherley gave to the second innings enabled England to close day three at 342-5, a slim lead of 59 with five wickets intact. Although England weren’t in the driving seat, Weatherley – deputy head boy at King Edward VI School in Southampton – was disappointed rain washed out the final day.
He added: “It was disappointing we couldn't get onto the field and save the game through our own right. Also, it would have been nice to bat for a session and a half or two and then have a crack at the Aussies and take a few scalps.”
Weatherley, who will also captain England in the upcoming series of ODIs, praised Hampshire team-mate Brad Taylor, who took 3-78 in 22 overs as Australia amassed a formidable 455-7. "As normal, Brad bowled with good control, despite the ball not really turning a great deal at the WACA.,” Weatherley continued. “He gave us an option to bowl at one end into the wind and rotate the seamers from the other. It took a while for him to be rewarded for his efforts with the ball, but he eventually managed to pick up three wickets.”
Weatherley said he would treasure that “special feeling” of captaining England in Australia.
“It was a very special feeling walking out to the WACA, leading my country and receiving my England Under-19 cap from Graeme Hick on the first morning of the Test. “I loved playing at the WACA. It was great to experience the world famous nets and pitch - definitely a bit more pace, bounce and carry than back home in England !” he chuckled.
Leg spinner Mason Crane, the third Hampshire youngster on the trip, could get his first taste of international action when England U19s open their series of ODIs against Australia in Bunbury on Monday.